Dopamine: What Is It?
Dopamine is a class of neurotransmitters found in the brain that affects a number of bodily processes, including motivation, mood, focus, and memory. A neurotransmitter is a chemical signaling agent that carries messages throughout the body. It also has hormonal effects.
The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, is directly impacted by dopamine. It also has a crucial part to play in the brain's reward system, which amplifies the emotions of pleasure humans get from rewarding activities.
Dopamine | what is it and How it Affect Health
How Dopamine Functions in the Reward System of the Brain
Dopamine helps to reinforce specific behaviors that lead to rewards by functioning as part of the brain's reward system. For example, a laboratory rat will repeatedly press a lever to acquire a food pellet, and a human will eat a second piece of pizza when dopamine levels are high.
Dopamine has recently been demonstrated to aid in the unlearning of frightened associations. In a 2018 study, researchers found that dopamine plays a crucial role in therapy for persons with anxiety disorders, such as phobias or post-traumatic stress disorder, in gradually diminishing anxious emotions (PTSD).
Dopamine | what is it and How it Affect Health
The Body's Stress Response and Dopamine
Dopamine performs the functions of a hormone known as catecholamine in different areas of the body. The little hormone factories known as the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys, are where catecholamines are produced.
The three primary catecholamines are:
• Dopamine
• Norepinephrine
• Epinephrine (adrenaline)
When the body is under stress, either physically or mentally, these hormones are released into the bloodstream. The so-called fight-or-flight response is triggered as a result of the metabolic alterations they produce. That is the body's normal response to stress, real or imagined.
Dopamine's Function in the Body
According to Dr. Giordano, dopamine directly affects a variety of bodily neurological, mental, and behavioral processes, such as
• Arousal
• Movement
• Regulation of specific hormones and glands.
• Positive reinforcement and compensation
Everything that we do is impacted by dopamine, including how we remember things and act. Dopamine, however, affects people differently.
Dopamine | what is it and How it Affect Health
How Low Dopamine Levels Might Make You
Feel
You might suffer any number of symptoms associated with dopamine insufficiency, such as:
• Mood swings
• Muscle cramps
• Tremors
• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Hallucinations
• Loss of Balance
• Low energy
• Low sex drive
Dopamine deficiency can make a person forgetful, agitated, unfocused, withdrawn, and emotionally immature. Additionally, you may get gastrointestinal troubles and coordination challenges.
How High Dopamine Levels Might Make You
Feel
While having a lot of energy and other great feelings can result from having high dopamine levels, there can also be drawbacks. You may experience the following symptoms of having too much dopamine:
• Aggressive
• Euphoric
• Energized
• Impulsive
• Interested in sex
• Unable to fall asleep
Role of Dopamine in Mental Health
Neurocognitive capabilities, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, might deteriorate as a result of a dopamine disease.
Dopamine is linked to many psychological disorders, much as the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps regulate mood. Some physical and mental health conditions are influenced by dopamine receptors that operate abnormally.
Schizophrenia
Dopamine signaling pathways and dopamine receptor alterations in the brain are linked to schizophrenia.
Some schizophrenia patients benefit from the dopamine antagonist effects of antipsychotic medications.
Parkinson's disease
Dr. Giordano notes that certain neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, where the nerve cells in charge of creating and releasing dopamine are dying, might result in decreased levels of dopamine.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
One of the most prevalent mental health conditions is MDD, and dopamine deficit can result in anhedonia, which is the inability to experience pleasure and is frequently a sign of MDD.
According to Dr. Giordano, decreased dopamine function can happen after stressful situations and in some depressive disorders. Signs and symptoms of reduced dopamine metabolism and signaling include:
• Loss of energy
• Diminished appetite
• Cravings for fatty and/or sweet foods
Dopamine | what is it and How it Affect Health
