Dopamine thus synthesized plays an important role in regulating the emotional response, the sensations of pain and pleasure, satiety, sleep, digestion and respiratory rate . The neurotransmitter is directly involved in cognitive processes, modulating attention, the ability to concentrate and learn during various mental tasks.
Affecting the functionality of dopaminergic neurons (the neurons at the level of which dopamine is synthesized) located in the mesencephalon and the ventral tegmental area of the brain, can cause Parkinson's disease, behavioral and mood disorders.
Dopamine can be used by the body as a precursor in the synthesis of other related catecholamines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are released at the circulatory level in conditions of severe physical or mental overstrain.
What is dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurohormone largely responsible for regulating the functionality of brain areas associated with pleasure and reward. Also known as the "hormone of pleasure", dopamine is synthesized by dopaminergic neurons in certain areas of the brain and released from the presynaptic vesicles during activities associated with the feeling of pleasure or reward.
Along with other neurotransmitters represented by serotonin and adrenaline, the biosynthesis of dopamine can be limited by the action of tyrosine hydroxylase, an enzyme involved in obtaining L Dopa from tyrosine. After synthesis, dopamine is incorporated at the level of presynaptic vesicles through the action of a vesicular monoamine transporter and is released at the level of the cell membrane of synaptic neurons through a process called exocytosis.
What role does dopamine play in the body?
Apart from its role in modulating the sensations of pleasure, dopamine is also involved in the regulation of certain functions of the human body, including:
- Digestion
- Elimination of sodium at the renal level
- Insulin synthesis (inhibits insulin synthesis at pancreatic level)
- Blood circulation (vasodilator effect) and heart rate
- Cognitive and learning processes
- Regulation of behaviors associated with the feeling of reward
- Regulating the ability to adapt to stress
- The perception of pain
- Body temperature regulation
- Initiation of motor activity.
How does dopamine make us happier?
An optimal level of dopamine in the body determines the emergence of a good mood and improves the ability to learn and organize, increasing productivity . This neurotransmitter is considered to be a "hormone of pleasure" due to its ability to regulate the body's neurological and physiological functions, involving both motor function and mood. The reward system is strongly associated with the levels of dopamine synthesized by dopaminergic neurons, this neurotransmitter being able to generate the feeling of joy and validation that motivates the person to carry out certain types of activities.
The release of dopamine at the level of the prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens is mainly associated with sexual activity, consumption of substances and certain foods, while the neurotransmitter released at the mesolimbic level is correlated with motivational processes.
Dopamine is involved in the generation of motivation, influencing decision-making capacity in various aspects of daily life and is sometimes responsible for the emergence of euphoric states . Currently, it is considered that the activation of dopaminergic neurons involved in the emergence of motivation occurs when an immediate reward is anticipated in the brain, in response to the performance of a certain type of activity.
Low dopamine level - symptoms
Low dopamine levels are responsible for:
- Attention deficit
- Personal demotivation
- Lack of enthusiasm
- Difficulties in motor coordination (tremor, impairment of the fine motor skills necessary for writing) and initiation of voluntary movements, muscle cramps, muscle stiffness and loss of balance.
- Regarding the role of dopamine in the occurrence of depressive syndromes, it must be interpreted in a broader context that includes its interaction with other types of neurotransmitters responsible for the occurrence of specific depression symptoms.
Diseases associated with low dopamine
- Schizophrenia
- Parkinson's disease
- ADHD (attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder)
- Autism.
These represent some of the pathologies associated with dopamine deficiency . Depression caused by dopamine deficiency is manifested by anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), personal demotivation and lack of interest in various activities.
Clinical studies have shown that mood disorders are largely due to the lack of synthesis and metabolism of dopamine, along with that of other neurotransmitters represented by serotonin, norepinephrine and acetylcholine.
Dopamine synthesis deficiency is frequently associated with pathologies that associate psychomotor retardation and personal demotivation, while inadequate metabolism of the compound is more frequently involved in the pathological mechanisms that generate the appearance of seasonal affective disorders.
Dopamine synthesis disorders can cause the appearance of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, as a result of the involvement of neurotransmitters in modulating the functionality of the immune system.
High dopamine level - signs
High dopamine levels can cause:
- The feeling of euphoria
- Increasing the level of mood with the appearance of tantrums
- Hallucinations and false perceptions
- The hyperfunction of dopaminergic neurons can cause anxiety states, increased libido with engagement in promiscuous relationships, aggression and insomnia.
Conditions associated with increased dopamine
Recent studies support the fact that there is a possible link between the dopaminergic response as a result of the ingestion of sweet foods in people suffering from obesity. According to these studies, the ingestion of certain types of food influences the activity of the reward system and stimulates overconsumption with the appearance of obesity .
The increased levels of dopamine greatly influence the behaviors that contribute to the emergence of addictions, especially those of alcohol and substances that can have unpleasant consequences from a physical and psycho-emotional point of view.
In certain situations, the hyperactive dopaminergic system causes the appearance of certain manifestations frequently present in schizophrenics, depending on the location of the affected dopaminergic neurons, which can be represented by hallucinations and illusions.
How do we improve dopamine levels naturally?
The body's dopamine levels can be improved through a series of measures that involve lifestyle changes and include:
- Adopting a balanced diet with an increased intake of foods rich in L-tyrosine (the dopamine precursor), contained in almonds, avocados, bananas, beef, chicken and eggs . Dietary supplements of vitamin D and magnesium, along with Omega 3 fatty acids, are also beneficial for increasing dopamine synthesis.
- Carrying out regular physical exercises, meditation or massage which stimulates the release of dopamine in response to pleasant activities.
- Respecting the sleep schedule, a minimum of 7 hours of sleep during the night with the avoidance of acoustic and visual stimulation ensures an optimal amount of synthesis of the neurotransmitter at the level of dopaminergic nerve cells.
- Regular exposure to sunlight ensures both an increase in the level of dopamine and other neurotransmitters responsible for generating the feeling of well-being.
