by Dopamine is a brain neurotransmitter involved in many functions of the human body. Its absence can signal trivial to very serious problems. Fortunately, there are natural ways to increase it.
It’s amazing that sometimes you can suffer from multiple symptoms, do all the tests without finding what’s wrong and, finally, the cause is in the lack of a substance, a vitamin for example, or in the bad absorption. components needed by the body tone. I made this observation while reading about its important role dopaminea brain chemical-neurotransmitter involved in many body functions, not just good mood, as you may have heard.
Dopamine has been identified with the pleasure and was linked to reward. Until very recently, scientists thought it worked like the reward system of our neurons.
But now it’s become clear that dopamine isn’t the chemical that gives us pleasure, it’s the chemical that it makes us happy to want more. Result; When we get what we want, we just start wanting more.
What are the symptoms of a dopamine deficiency?
Beyond this more or less known function, dopamine also plays a role in the control of movements, sleep, memory, learning and concentration. THE Parkinson’s diseaseTHE depression and attention deficit syndrome (ADHD), are also linked to its absence.
Dopamine is linked to many mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Excessively high levels of it cause symptoms similar to schizophrenia, while its deficiency leads to depression and lack of motivation.
However, scientists are still investigating the role that dopamine plays in the above conditions. It’s unclear if low dopamine itself is the cause or if something else causes dopamine dysfunction in different areas of the brain. Others neurotransmitters may also be involved in the development of these problems.
Some (more common) symptoms that may be due to a lack of dopamine are:
- Chronic low back pain
- Constipation
- The weight increases
- Difficulty swallowing food
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating and brain fog
- Decreased desire for sex
- Lack of motivation
- bad mood
What can affect its levels?
– Diets
Extreme dietary changes and severe deprivation can affect dopamine levels. THE lack of protein in a person’s diet, in fact, leads to a lack of I-tyrosine, an amino acid that helps build dopamine in the body.
– Obesity
In the human body, there is a gene that researchers call “cfat mass and onidium associated with obesity (FTO)“. People with variants of this gene are more likely to develop obesity. Some scientists report that the FTO gene affects dopamine and brain reward system.
Additionally, according to research, saturated fat can increase inflammation, which impairs the dopamine system.
– Drug use
A 2017 study found that repeated use of stimulants can alter dopamine cell activation and signaling.
People who regularly use drugs also show significant reductions in dopamine D2 receptors and dopamine release, making it harder for a person to feel the positive effects of dopamine.
– Lack of sleep and stress
The “usual suspects” of any disease are sleep and chronic stress. While we sleep, dopamine sends corresponding messages to the body that we are resting. As a result, lack of sleep creates disturbances in its production and action.
How is the diagnosis made?
The entire control of neurotransmitters involves measuring the molecules of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, adrenaline, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamic acid in a urine sample, while the measurement of dopamine is also done with a blood test.
In all cases, it is the doctor who will indicate the appropriate examination and will suspect its necessity from the clinical examination and the anamnesis. Discuss all your questions with him and avoid self-diagnosis.
Are there medications?
Drugs with dopaminergic action exist. Are called dopamine agonists and imitate his action. They are prescribed to treat different symptoms and conditions and mainly for Parkinson’s disease rather than common symptoms.
Naturally increase dopamine levels
If you suspect – or find – that dopamine levels in your body are low, there are natural ways to increase them that will definitely benefit you:
- Consume coffee, which keeps dopamine levels high.
- Daily exercise.
- Prefer protein-rich foods.
- Foods like banana, avocado, apple, tomato, eggplant, and spinach can also help.
- Develop a good sleep routine.
- Listen to music you like.
