What is dopamine?
Dopamine Is a kind of kind of NeurotransmitterA chemical messenger that transmits signals in the brain and in other areas of the body. It is produced in several regions of the brain, especially in the black substance And Ventral tegmental area (vta). Dopamine plays a central role in Motivation, movement, reward, learning, mood and pleasure.
It acts both as Neurotransmitter (in the brain) and a Neurohormone (Effecting blood pressure and hormonal function in the body).
What is dopamine used for?
Dopamine is of essential importance for a variety of functions, including:
- Motion control: Helps to coordinate smooth, voluntary movements (decisively in Parkinson’s disease).
- Reward and motivation: Triggers pleasure and strengthens behavior (e.g. food, training, conviviality).
- Mood regulation: Affects motivation, focus and emotional reaction.
- Attention and learning: Involved in cognitive processes and memory.
- Endocrine function: Inhibits prolactal insecretion and influences appetite regulation.
What are the symptoms of a dopamine lack?
Dopamine deficiency occurs when dopamine production or receptor sensitivity is affected. It can lead to neurological and psychological symptoms.
Common signs:
- Fatigue or lack of motivation
- Low mood or apathy
- Bad focus or attention (often in ADHD)
- Reduced pleasure (Anhedonie)
- Muscle stiffness or tremors
- Weight changes
- Storage problems
- Sleep disorders
note: Serious deficiency in diseases such as B. observed Parkinson’s diseasewhere dopamine-producing neurons degenerate.
What are the symptoms of dopamine excess?
Too much dopamine, especially in certain brain circuits, can cause:
- Fear or excitement
- insomnia
- Impulsiveness or addictive behavior
- Deception or hallucinations (for psychotic disorders)
- Increased risk to risk
- Mania (as seen in bipolar disorder)
Dopamine surplus is often involved schizophrenia And drug -induced psychosis.
Dopamine-related diseases
The dysregulation of dopamine is associated with several psychiatric and neurological diseases:
| Disturbance | Dopamine |
|---|---|
| Parkinson’s disease | Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra |
| schizophrenia | Overactivity of dopamine in certain brain areas (Mesolimbic path) |
| ADHD | Reduced dopamine transmission in the prefrontal cortex |
| depression | Impaired dopamine transmission can contribute to low motivation and pleasure |
| Bipolar disorder | Fluctuations in dopamine associated with manic and depressed episodes |
| Seeks | The use of substance increases the dopamine in the reward circle, increases the behavior |
What is dopamine detoxification?
“Dopamine detoxification”Is a popular, non-scientific concept that temporarily avoids dopamine release activities (e.g. social media, junk food, video games) in order to reset the brain’s reward system and reduce impulsive behavior.
What it actually does:
- Helps Reduce overstimulation
- Encouraged mindful behavior
- Reset Basis sensitivity
- Can help focus, productivity and intellectual clarity
Although no literal detoxification of dopamine (which the body regulates naturally), practice can improve the habits by reducing compulsive behavior.
What is a dopamine test?
A Dopamine test measures dopamine or metabolites (e.g., e.g., e.g. Homovanillic acid) in the blood, in the urine or in the cerebrospinal fluid. These tests are usually used for evaluation:
- Phäochromocytoma (a rare tumor)
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Parkinson’s-related research
- Psychiatric drug monitoring (rare)
These tests are not routinely used Diagnosing mood or behavioral problems such as ADHD or depression.
The relationship between dopamine and serotonin
Dopamine and Serotonin Are both neurotransmitters, but serve different functions:
| Dopamine | Serotonin |
|---|---|
| Involved in motivationPresent rewardAnd Enjoyment | Regulated MoodPresent sleepPresent appetiteAnd social behavior |
| Increased addiction, schizophrenia | Associated with depression, anxiety disorders |
| Promotes Targeted behavior | Improved Satisfaction and stability |
| Low values: apathy, fatigue, low motivation | Low levels: sadness, fear, bad sleep |
Interact the two systems and often affect each otherThat’s why drugs like Ssris (for serotonin) and Dopamine agonist can be used together in the mood or neurological disorders.
Frequently asked questions about dopamine
Q: Can food dopamine increase naturally?
A: Yes. Food rich Tyrosine– Amino acid predecessors of dopamine – including eggs, dairy products, soy, fish and bananas.
Q: increases movement dopamine?
A: Yes. Regular physical activity improves dopamine release and receptor sensitivity in particular the sensitivity aerobic exercise.
Q: Is low dopamine as well as depression?
A: Not exactly. Dopamine deficiency bears Anhedonie and low motivationBut depression also includes serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
Q: Are there natural ways to support dopamine levels?
A: Yes – sleeping, protein intake, physical activity, sunlight exposure and avoidance of overstimulation can support the dopamine balance.
References
- Volkow nd, et al. The role of dopamine in motivation, pleasure and addiction. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2009; 166 (1): 29–36.
- Schultz W. Dopamine signals for the reward value and the risk: basic and current data. Behavioral and brain functions. 2010; 6 (1): 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-9081-6-24
- Grace aa. Dysregulation of the dopamine system in pathophysiology of schizophrenia and depression. Nature reviews neuroscience. 2016; 17 (8): 524–532. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.57
- Salamone JD, Correa M. The mysterious motivation functions of mesolimbic dopamine. Neuron. 2012; 76 (3): 470–485. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.neuron.2012.021
