Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in your brain which contributes to the feelings of vigilance, concentration, motivation and happiness. A dopamine flood can make you feel euphoric.
You may have heard that dopamine is the neurotransmitter “feel good”. In many ways, it is.
Dopamine is strongly associated with pleasure and reward. Of course, it’s not as simple as this. In fact, there is much more in this complex chemical.
Dopamine is involved in neurological and physiological functioning. It is a factor that contributes to motor function, mood and even our decision -making process. It is also associated with some psychiatric movements and disorders.
Let’s take a look at the many roles of dopamine and the signs that your dopamine levels are off.
What is Dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced in the brain. Basically, it acts as a chemical messenger among the neurons.
Dopamine is released when your brain expects a reward.
When you come to associate a certain activity with pleasure, the simple anticipation may be enough to increase dopamine levels. It could be a certain food, sex, shopping or anything else you like.
“For example, suppose that your “go-to” comfort is the double biscuit with homemade chocolate chips. Your brain can increase dopamine when you nod or see it out of the oven. When you eat them, the deluvious dopamine acts to strengthen this craving and focus on satisfying it in the future.”
It is a cycle of motivation, reward and reinforcement.
Now imagine having wanted those biscuits all day, but your collaborators wrapped them when you were distracted by a teleconference. Your disappointment could lower the dopamine level and dampen your mood. It could also intensify your desire for double biscuits to the chocolate chips. Now you want them even more.
Apart from its “Feel Good” function, dopamine is involved in many functions of the body. These include:
- blood circulation
- digestion
- executive operation
- Cardiac and renal function
- memory and concentration
- mood and emotions
- engine control
- Pain processing
- Pancreatic function and insulin regulation
- Pleasure and reward looking for behaviors
- sleep
- Response to stress
Keep in mind that dopamine does not act alone. It works with other neurotransmitters and hormones, such as serotonin and adrenaline.
A series of environmental factors also influences your physical and psychological well -being.
How does dopamine make you feel?
The right amount of dopamine usually accompanies a good mood. It is ideal for learning, planning and productivity.
Dopamine contributes to the feelings of:
- supervision
- focus
- motivation
- happiness
A dopamine flood can produce temporary euphoria feelings.
Can you say if you have a deficiency of dopamine?
Bassa dopamine is one of the reasons why you may not be the best mood. You may have:
- Reduced alert
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Less motivation and enthusiasm
- poor coordination
- movement difficulty
Lack of sleep can reduce dopamine levels:
The lack of dopamine can make you sleep, but not sleeping can also lower dopamine.
A small 2012 study suggests that sleep deprivation can lead to a considerable reduction in the availability of dopamine receptors in the morning.
Conditions associated with low dopamine levels:
Some conditions that can be associated with low dopamine are:
Parkinson’s disease; Symptoms include tremors, slowed and sometimes psychosis movements.
Depression; Symptoms include sadness, sleep problems and cognitive changes.
Dopamine conveyor deficiency syndrome; Also known as childish parkinsonism, this condition causes movement anomalies similar to those of Parkinson’s disease.
What happens when you have too much dopamine?
Very high levels of dopamine can make you feel at the top of the world, at least for a while. It can also put you in serious overdrive.
In excess, it can be a factor that contributes to:
- mania
- hallucinations
- Disappointments
Too much dopamine can play a role in:
- obesity
- dependence
- schizophrenia
How do drugs affect dopamine levels?
Some drugs can interact with dopamine in a way that becomes habit.
Nicotine, alcohol or other drugs with quality that creates employees activate the dopamine cycle.
These substances can cause a faster and much more intense dopamine race than you would get from those double chocolate biscuits. It is such a powerful race that you let yourself be desired more – and soon.
While a habit is formed, the brain responds by attenuating dopamine. Now you need more substance to achieve the same level of pleasure.
“Over -racration also affects dopamine receptors in a way that makes you lose interest in other things. This can make you act more compulsively. You are less and less able to resist the use of these substances.”
When it becomes more a need for a need, this is dependence. If you try to stop, you could go through physical and emotional retreat symptoms.
Even if you have stopped using substances for a long time, exposure to the substance can trigger your desire and put yourself at risk of recurrence.
Dopamine does not have the sole responsibility to create addiction. Other things, such as genetics and environmental factors, play a role.
How do hormones influence dopamine levels?
Dopamine also interacts with other neurotransmitters and hormones. For example, neurotransmitter glutamate is involved in the pleasure cycle and reward in the brain.
A 2014 study examined how stress and sex hormones influence dopamine neurotransmission during adolescence.
The researchers observed that testosterone, estrogen and glucocorticoids interact with each other and affect dopamine levels. This can affect brain maturation and cognitive function in adolescence and adulthood.
A 2015 study observed that neurotransmitters are influenced by many things. The researchers wrote that sex hormones are “very intertwined” with:
- dopamine
- serotonin
- Gaba
- glutamate
These interactions are complicated and not entirely understood. Further research is needed to fully understand how dopamine interacts with other neurotransmitters and hormones.
Take Away:
The affirmation of dopamine fame derives from its effect on mood and pleasure, as well as from the cycle of the police of the motivation.
We know that dopamine serves many neurological and cognitive vital functions. Despite a lot of research, there is still much to learn about dopamine interactions with other neurotransmitters and hormones.
Look at your doctor if you have movements anomalies, symptoms of a mood disorder or believe you feel addiction.