How Does Dopamine Affect the Body?
You might have heard that dopamine is the “feel good” neurotransmitter. In many ways, it is.
Dopamine is strongly associated with pleasure and reward. Of course, it’s not as simple as just that. In fact, there’s a lot more to this complex chemical. Dopamine is involved in neurological and physiological functioning. It’s a contributing factor in motor function, mood, and even our decision-making. It’s also associated with some movement and psychiatric disorders. Lets take a look at dopamine’s many roles and the signs that your dopamine levels are off.
What is dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter made in the brain. Basically, it acts as a chemical messenger between neurons. Dopamine is released when your brain is expecting a reward. When you come to associate a certain activity with pleasure, mere anticipation may be enough to raise dopamine levels. It could be a certain food, sex, shopping, or just about anything else that you enjoy.
How does dopamine make you feel?
The right amount of dopamine usually goes along with a pretty good mood. It’s ideal for learning, planning, and productivity.
Dopamine contributes to feelings of:
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alertness
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focus
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motivation
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happiness
A flood of dopamine can produce temporary feelings of euphoria.
What happens when you have too much dopamine?
Very high levels of dopamine can make you feel on top of the world, at least for a while. It can also put you into serious overdrive.
In excess, it may be a contributing factor in:
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mania
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hallucinations
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delusions
Too much dopamine may play a role in:
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obesity
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addictions
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schizophrenia
Key takeaways
Dopamine’s claim to fame comes from its effect on mood and pleasure, as well as the motivation-reward-reinforcement cycle.
We know that dopamine serves many vital neurological and cognitive functions. Despite a lot of research, there’s still much to learn about dopamine’s interactions with other neurotransmitters and hormones.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/dopamine-effects#takeaway