Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in pleasure, motivation, and learning. It is released in response to natural rewards such as food, social interactions, or exercise. It is also released in response to drugs or other substances that are addictive.

What does Dopamine affect?

Learning
Motivation
Kidney function
Lactation
Sleep
Memory and focus
Stress response
Mood
Attention
Digestion and blood flow
Pain processing
Heart rate
Blood vessel function
Control of nausea and vomiting
Movement

Symptoms of High vs Low Dopamine

Low dopamine	High dopamine	Too high dopamine
fatigue apathy / low energy (Little motivation to complete tasks or achieve goals) procrastination mood swings memory loss inability to focus insomnia (trouble sleeping) sugar cravings Little motivation to complete tasks or achieve goals Not feeling pleasure in activities you once enjoyed Anxiety or sadness low sex drive	euphoria increased energy increased sex drive	trouble sleeping aggressive behavior difficulty controlling your actions hallucinations paranoia delusions mania

How to increase dopamine (in a healthy way)

Exercise: Physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, has been shown to enhance dopamine production and release.
Disconnect from phone
Spend time in nature
Reading
Dopamine fasting
Listening to music
Get enough sleep: Sleep deprivation reduces dopamine receptors and release, so maintaining good sleep habits supports healthy dopamine levels.
Healthy diet
Reduce stress: Sleep deprivation reduces dopamine receptors and release, so maintaining good sleep habits supports healthy dopamine levels.
In general, avoid too much and constant pleasure.
Since dopamine is derived from the amino acid tyrosine, eating foods rich in tyrosine can support dopamine production. Foods like: Protein-rich foods: chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, dairy Soy products, almonds, avocados, and bananas Beans and seeds (like pumpkin seeds)

How is dopamine produced in the body?

L-Tyrosine: The amino acid tyrosine, which comes from dietary protein, is the starting material for dopamine production. It's either obtained through food or synthesized from another amino acid called phenylalanine.

Conversion to L-DOPA: Tyrosine is converted into L-DOPA (levodopa) by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase. This is the rate-limiting step, meaning it's the slowest and most tightly regulated part of dopamine production.

Conversion to Dopamine: L-DOPA is then converted into dopamine by the enzyme DOPA decarboxylase. Dopamine can then be stored in vesicles within neurons to be released when needed.

What does NOT increase dopamin!

Stimulants like amphetamines increase the release of dopamine but don’t directly increase its production in the long term. Overuse can actually reduce the brain's ability to produce dopamine naturally, leading to tolerance and dependence.

Base Level of Dopamine for Normal Function

There is indeed a base level of dopamine required for normal functioning, particularly in the brain. This base level is essential for:

Movement: Dopamine plays a critical role in regulating motor functions. A deficit of dopamine in specific brain regions, like the substantia nigra, leads to motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease. In Parkinson's, a significant loss of dopamine-producing neurons causes symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and difficulty initiating movements.
Mood Regulation: Dopamine is closely tied to the brain’s reward and pleasure system. Adequate dopamine levels help regulate mood, motivation, and the ability to experience pleasure. Low dopamine is often linked to depression, lack of motivation, and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure).
Cognitive Function: Dopamine is involved in processes like attention, learning, and memory. It helps regulate cognitive functions and executive processes in areas like the prefrontal cortex.
Autonomic Nervous System Regulation: Dopamine helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. It has a role in controlling the release of other hormones, like prolactin, through its inhibitory effect on the pituitary gland.

Notes

    - Dopamine = reward, serotonin = happiness
    - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striatum
    - There is no blood test for dopamine levels, it's inferred via symptoms
    - low dopamine symptoms
        - fatigue
        - apathy / low energy (Little motivation to complete tasks or achieve goals)
        - procrastination
        - mood swings
        - memory loss
        - inability to focus
        - insomnia (trouble sleeping)
        - sugar cravings
        - Little motivation to complete tasks or achieve goals
        - Not feeling pleasure in activities you once enjoyed
        - Anxiety or sadness
        - low sex drive
    - high dopamine symptoms
        - euphoria
        - increased energy
        - increased sex drive
        - too high dopamine symptoms:
        - trouble sleeping
        - aggressive behavior
        - difficulty controlling your actions
        - hallucinations
        - paranoia
        - delusions
        - mania
    - body is constantly producing dopamine, but it's also constantly breaking it down
            How Much Dopamine is Used?

            There’s no precise way to quantify how much dopamine is used per minute or hour, because dopamine use is highly dynamic and depends on the activity level of the brain. However, we can understand it in terms of relative processes:

            During active states (like problem-solving, enjoying music, eating, or exercise), dopamine release is elevated in brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and reward system (e.g., the nucleus accumbens).
            During resting states, dopamine release is much lower but still occurs at a baseline level to maintain essential functions.

            Is There Constant Breakdown?

            Yes, there is constant dopamine turnover in the brain. Even during rest, dopamine is released and broken down, though at much lower levels than during active or stimulating tasks. The half-life of dopamine in the synapse is very short, often lasting just a few milliseconds to seconds before being reabsorbed or metabolized.
        