Terms you should be aware of for this discussion:
The Motivation Molecule
Or the reward circuit. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (or chemical messenger) in the brain’s reward system and affects numerous bodily functions (instead of where a hormone travels through the blood, dopamine travels through the nervous system). It transmits signals between nerve cells in the brain. It is produced in the Substantia Nigra.
Neurotransmitters help cells communicate and influence mood.
Involved in various parts of the brain – one of them called the Nucleus Accumbens.
Functions: Reward System
Pleasure (‘feel good’ hormone) and Motivation
Mood regulation (emotional balance) ‘vitality’
Motor Control (movement regulation) *voluntary movements
Cognition (Attention & Focus)
Reinforcement of behaviour (Reward pathway). Understand dopamine is a system. It is a complex bio-chemical pathway. It does not operate on its own.
Drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine increase dopamine levels, leading to addictive behaviours. Gives you a ‘high’ - followed by a low, dip or crash. Smokers – nicotine increases dopamine levels. So, if you want to stop smoking; you need to replace it with something that also increases your dopamine levels (like exercising); and not overeating (carbohydrates can also increase your dopamine levels).
Imbalances in dopamine levels are linked to conditions like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Diet and lifestyle (nutrition and activity)
Stress (cortisol impact) chronic stress can lower dopamine levels and reduce receptor sensitivity.
Foods rich in tyrosine (amino acid) can help stabilize dopamine levels (fish, chicken, dairy) = animal protein.
Sleep and stress reduction strategies
If you are deficient in Dopamine, you lack motivation and drive. You will become moody and fatigued.
What can cause this? Excessive caffeine. High insulin levels will deplete dopamine. Stress, and cortisol released from the stressed state, will deplete dopamine.
Insulin has a huge role in regulating dopamine.
Supplements: Tyrosine. L-Theanine (take on an empty stomach just before bed). Vitamin D. Exercise.
Dopamine is involved in your sleep cycles. Low dopamine levels will be found in people with Parkinson's, Schizophrenia, ADHD and depression.
The big lie: ADD – attention deficit disorder. There is no cure. Just therapy. Ritalin does NOT CURE you from ADD. You never come off the drug! Big Pharma’s solutions. Let us help you to manage the symptoms.
They talk about Hereditary; they blame low Dopamine levels. Very few articles talk about Sugar and its impact on the brain. What is the person’s diet? That should be question 1. What number of exercises are done on a consistent basis?
What is the impact of Ritalin? Tachycardia; high blood pressure; headaches; insomnia; anxiety.
Another lie; your brain needs sugar. NO. Your body can produce sugar – it is called gluconeogenesis.
There is a fundamental relationship between dopamine released in your brain, and your desire to exert effort.
Motivation is a two-part process between balancing pleasure and pain.