Reading 8 min. Published on 09.07.2019

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls various functions: motor activity, cognition, emotions, food intake, and endocrine regulation. It is also involved in cardiovascular activity, hormone secretion, kidney function, and gastrointestinal motility.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are used by the brain to transmit signals and information between nerve cells.

How dopamine works

Responsible for motivation

Dopamine is also known as the "motivation molecule". It motivates and encourages action. A person never does anything for nothing. He does only those things that he considers either useful or pleasant. The activation of dopamine neurons makes us feel good, while their deactivation makes us feel disgust.

Animal studies show that high, moderate, and low concentrations of this chemical cause euphoria, craving, and unpleasant states, respectively. Dopaminergic activity increases curiosity. And curiosity and interest are important components of intrinsic motivation.

At different types In mammals, there is a connection between dopamine and positive experiences associated with searching, learning new knowledge and interest in their environment. People who frequently experience motivated flow states in their daily activities tend to have higher levels of dopamine.

On the other hand, a low level of this neurotransmitter reduces the chances of humans and animals to survive. They lose the meaning of doing anything. In one study, genetically engineered mice that couldn't produce dopamine starved to death because they weren't motivated to eat. Restoring the balance of this neurotransmitter saves these animals. [ , , , , ]

Increases anticipation of pleasure

When exposed to a stimulating factor, the brain releases large amounts of dopamine. At such moments, he stimulates a person to search for pleasant activities. Pleasant experiences such as sex, food, games, or even drug abuse increase the release of this chemical.

This brain reward system promotes the survival of the species by encouraging the behaviors necessary for its survival, such as foraging, breeding, hiding, drinking, and so on. These activities, necessary for the survival of the species, are associated with "pleasant sensations". [ , ]

The effect of histamine on its receptors makes it possible to increase the sensitivity of dopamine receptors to dopamine. Therefore, people with higher histamine levels or stronger receptor activation experience more pleasure.

Dopamine (and serotonin) is good for memory and learning

Dopamine activity in the brain plays a big role in memory and learning. It is necessary for long-term storage and retrieval of information from memory. It signals important events and helps you remember important events. Dopamine ensures that memories are relevant and accessible for the future.

This neurotransmitter also plays an important role in working memory. Working memory is the ability to use information from short-term memory and manage your actions. It promotes the activity of nerve cells involved in working memory.

Serotonin also works with dopamine during memory formation. Activation of serotonin receptors can increase the release of dopamine in those parts of the brain that are involved in the process of cognition and memory formation, i.e. in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.

The release of dopamine leads to the fact that a person has certain stimuli. This allows you to control and teach people different behaviors. Thus, it plays an important role in reward-oriented learning. [ , , , ]

Dopamine increases attention and focus

But its dysfunction can cause a decrease in attention or even an attention deficit disorder.

Moderate levels of this neurotransmitter (not too high and not too low) increase a person's ability to effectively switch attention from one task to another. In addition, a moderate level of dopamine allows you to more effectively pay attention to factors that are relevant to current tasks. [ , , ]

Important for love

Strong love is linked to the dopamine reward system. This neurotransmitter is released during sex, touch, and orgasm and plays an important role in forming and maintaining a bond between two people.

When people look at pictures of people they're in love with, their brain activity is similar to that seen after using cocaine or a monetary reward.

Romantic bonding between people is the result of cross-links between oxytocin, the "love molecule" and dopamine. [ , , ]

Prairie voles are monogamous. However, when dopamine is blocked, they lose their monogamy, not giving preference to any partner.

Dopamine (and oxytocin) help establish maternal behavior

Maternal behavior is the result of highly motivated brain activity that allows a woman the flexibility to adapt her care to different situations. Dopamine, along with oxytocin, plays a key role in maternal behavior. An increase in the level of this neurotransmitter is observed during breastfeeding. [ , ]

Dopamine blockage in mice leads to loss of maternal behavior.

Increases creativity

Research shows that human creativity depends on dopamine. However, creativity is a complex process, and its various aspects depend on different dopaminergic systems.

The connection of this neurotransmitter with creativity was first discovered during the treatment of patients with Parkinson's. In response to dopaminergic treatment, patients developed artistic ability and also demonstrate increased verbal and visual creativity.

Dopamine speeds up the sense of time

Our sense of time is far from constant. For example, time flies when we are having fun and slows down when we are bored. The brain's dopamine system regulates our internal clock. Dopamine changes both the perception of time, ranging from a second to a minute, and the duration of the motor system (movement).

Time estimation is impaired in patients with schizophrenia or in patients with structural damage to certain areas of the brain caused by traumatic brain injury.

Nausea

The stomach and intestines also have dopamine receptors. Dopamine acts through specific receptors to reduce pressure in the gut. Drugs that increase the activity of this neurotransmitter stimulate the intestines to increase mobility and function. These drugs help relieve nausea, vomiting, and even acid reflux.

Inhibits prolactin

Prolactin is a peptide hormone that stimulates a woman's milk production and also controls metabolism, immunity, reproduction, mental health, and more.

The hypothalamus releases dopamine, which then acts as a hormone inside the brain and is the main inhibitor of prolactin production in the anterior pituitary gland.

It is important that the level of prolactin hormones is balanced. High prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia) can cause reproductive problems in both men and women. Dopamine helps maintain healthy prolactin levels. [ , ]

Helps the movement

The basal ganglia, which are the largest and most important sources of dopamine in the brain, control movement. In order for the basal ganglia to function well, sufficient release of this neurotransmitter at the input nuclei is necessary.

Helps prevent Parkinson's disease

Dopamine is responsible for the connection between two areas of the brain, namely between the substantia nigra and the striatum. This is very important to ensure smooth and targeted movement. Dysfunction of the dopaminergic system leads to impaired motor function.

Nerve cells in this system produce dopamine. Parkinson's disease occurs when these nerve cells become damaged or die. When approximately 60-80% of the cells that produce this neurotransmitter are damaged and do not produce enough of it, the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear.

Low levels of dopamine contribute to the painful symptoms often associated with Parkinson's disease.

Prevents myopia

Scientists can cause myopia in animals by lowering light levels. The leading hypothesis is that light stimulates the release of dopamine in the retina, which in turn blocks eye lengthening during development.

Normally, dopamine builds up in the retina during the day, which improves daytime vision. Researchers now suspect that low (usually indoor) light disrupts the cycle, leading to nearsightedness.

The greatest risk for the development of myopia in people is a long stay indoors.

Stimulates sexual desire

A person's response to sexual intercourse, like other rewards, is largely dependent on dopamine. He plays a central role in sexual arousal, sexual motivation and erection of the penis.

Erections depend on the activation of both dopaminergic neurons (ventral tegmental area) and dopamine receptors (nucleus accumbens). Dopamine agonists (drugs that activate dopamine D1/D2 receptors), such as apomorphine, cause erections in men with both normal and erectile dysfunction. [ , , ]

Conclusion

Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that controls a huge number of biological processes in the body. It is not only responsible for motivation and pleasure, but also controls motor function.

Both excess and deficiency of this neurotransmitter lead to negative consequences. Therefore, it is very important to maintain the level of this neurotransmitter at a normal level.

Dopamine - what is it? Each of us at least once heard about this hormone. It is called the hormone of happiness, joy, pleasure, or the hormone that controls passion ... But aside from the myths and legends, what do we know about dopamine? In this article, we answer those questions that you may have already asked yourself at some point. Find out what dopamine is, what function it performs, how it is produced and how it works!

What is dopamine and what is it for?

Dopamine is a molecule that is produced by our body. What does dopamine do? This substance affects our libido and secret desires. Dopamine causes both sexual desire and falling in love, love, becomes the cause of cheating and addictions, affects our attention, is responsible for the craving for learning, and even feminism.

Dopamine can be defined as a chemical messenger that is responsible for signaling along (from the brain). Thanks to dopamine, information is transmitted from one neuron to another.

The effects that dopamine produces in our brain depend on a variety of factors, and on what other neurotransmitters it makes connections with. Although it was originally thought that this hormone was associated with actually receiving pleasure (“love”), in recent studies, scientists confirm that dopamine in more associated with anticipation of desire and motivation (“want”).

Dopamine is actively involved in the activation of the reward system of the brain, especially in the nucleus accumbens. This core is a key structure in the formation of behavior patterns that evoke stimuli with an emotional charge, both positive and negative. This area is considered to be the main pleasure center of our brain. The nucleus accumbens interacts with the centers of the brain associated with emotions, with the centers responsible for memory processes and control over emotions. Therefore, it is directly related to the learning process, as we can see below.

The stimuli that activate the brain's reward circuits to a greater extent are new, i.e. those about which we know very little so far, and / or which are unexpected.

Both creative people and those with schizophrenia have a lower density of these receptors in the thalamus, an area of ​​the brain responsible for filtering incoming information and involved in cognition and reasoning. This means that incoming signals are filtered less, which increases the flow of information to the brain. This explains the fact that creative people at the moment of solving problems can see many unusual solutions, and those suffering from schizophrenia and similar people have strange associations.

Dopamine is linked to the creative process

6- Dopamine and Personality

One personality trait that defines each of us in many ways is our level of extraversion. Extraversion has two main components: a craving for social interaction and. This function is highly dependent on dopamine.

Dopamine: instructions for use. What happens in case of dopamine deficiency or excess?

There are a number of diseases associated with the absence or excess of dopamine:

When we don't get enough dopamine, we may feel a lack of motivation, boredom, bad mood, depression or. Find out, . It is also possible to experience a feeling of anhedonia, when it suddenly becomes difficult for us to enjoy life and have fun. Diseases characterized by low levels of dopamine include , social phobia,(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and. This is why so commonly used drugs to treat these diseases are focused on increasing dopamine levels in the brain. These increases are small, regular, and manageable because otherwise they can be addictive, much like a drug.

The cause of these disorders, with the exception of Parkinson's disease, is not a lack of dopamine per se, but a decrease in active search for pleasurable stimuli and general motivation. This suggests a decrease in dopamine production. What happens in Parkinson's disease? In this case, there is degradation of the areas of the brain that produce dopamine, namely the substantia nigra. Many people wonder how to raise or increase dopamine levels. However, it must be borne in mind that too high levels of dopamine can be dangerous.

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High levels of dopamine may be associated with mental illness, such as schizophrenia and. In the case of these disorders, the drugs used to treat it tend to suppress the action of dopamine, reducing the amount of time it spends in the space between neurons.

How is dopamine involved in addiction formation?

Addiction involves an intense desire for something, a loss of control over the use of the desired product and its continued use, despite adverse consequences. Addiction modifies the brain, altering healthy ways to enjoy pleasure and disrupting the normal functioning of learning and motivation processes.

In addition to increasing the production of dopamine, drugs artificially slow down its processing and elimination. Due to this, an accumulation is observed in the body a large number dopamine in the synaptic space (more than 150%) and for a long time.

However, not only drugs that artificially increase the level of dopamine in the brain can cause drug addiction. Many of the behaviors that cause dopamine levels to rise tend to make us addicted to those behaviors, as is the case with sex addiction, gambling, video games, and fast food.

These behaviors, or repeated exposure to an addictive factor, trigger nerve cells in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex (areas of the brain involved in planning and decision making). Thus, there are associations between the addictive factor and pleasure, which causes addicted people to follow their stimulus. This process encourages us to act to find the source of pleasure.

This mechanism was laid down in us by nature in the process of evolution as an adaptation mechanism, since we associate pleasure with vital behaviors (eating, sex), this serves our survival and our genes.

The accumulation of dopamine in the brain leads to the formation of new receptors for this hormone. Over time, the brain adapts and dopamine stops working. This reduces the feeling of pleasure caused by a certain substance or behavior. That is why people with bad habits need to increase the dose to get the same effect. It's called tolerance or addiction.

addiction without drugs

These are so-called impulse control disorders, which are behavioral addictions. This addiction to certain behaviors, such as impulsive purchases, dependence on technological novelties, work, sex, gambling… The nature of these disorders is similar to drug addiction.

As with drug addiction, this addiction is revealed when we feel bad, stressed or anxious, and these behaviors help to eliminate these negative feelings and bring about the desired pleasure. In this regard, the likelihood of repeating this behavior increases. However, the level of dopamine obtained in this way will be high, but within the acceptable range. It is not artificially high, as is the case with drugs. Therefore, physical dependence is not formed, which causes more serious damage to the brain.

Can dopamine cause addiction?

Despite the bad reputation of dopamine due to the fact that this hormone has a connection with, it cannot lead to addiction on its own.

For example, it is hard to imagine how one can become addicted to curiosity. Even though when we are actively interested in something, more dopamine is released in our brain, our body is able to handle it in a steady rhythm, maintaining balance.

Much also depends on the characteristics of each person and how he can control his impulses.

Dopamine serves to maintain motivation and promote learning. In addition, it allows us to fall in love, be carried away and enjoy when we see a beautiful sunset, or when we see, say, a car that we like so much. Dopamine makes the little pleasures of life more vivid. Who wants to give them up? Dopamine is not harmful, but like everything in nature, it needs a natural balance. We can't have a dopamine "spike" all the time because it can eventually generate an addiction. However, dopamine by itself does not cause addiction. It is certain patterns of impulsive behavior in search of dopamine peaks that lead us to addiction.

Is the feeling of happiness we experience real or fake?

When the brain releases dopamine in response to natural stimuli, the feeling of happiness we experience is real. Conversely, when dopamine production is the result of a drug, it is artificial "happiness" and therefore false.

In addition, in addition to dopamine, other hormones, such as endorphins, are also involved in creating a feeling of happiness. Dopamine is the hormone most associated with feelings of pleasure and motivation to seek that pleasure. Serotonin is considered the hormone of pleasure and humor. And endorphins are hormones that increase our sense of joy, improve and give a feeling of happiness.

Translation by Alexandra Dyuzheva

Dopamine- neurotransmitter, central nervous system, as well as a mediator of nervous local (paracrine) regulation in a number of peripheral organs (including the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys). It is also a hormone produced by the adrenal medulla and other tissues (for example, the kidneys), but this hormone almost does not penetrate into the subcortex of the brain from the blood. Chemically, dopamine is classified as a catecholamine. Dopamine is the biochemical precursor of norepinephrine and adrenaline during their synthesis.

Norepinephrine Adrenaline

Story

Dopamine was first synthesized in 1910, but for many years it was considered only a precursor of adrenaline and norepinephrine. It wasn't until 1958 that Swedish scientist Arvid Karlsson discovered that dopamine is the most important neurotransmitter in the brain. More than 40 years later, in 2000, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this discovery.

A laboratory rat in a special box presses a lever. Stimulants are attached to the animal's head.

In a fundamental study in 1954, Canadian scientists James Olds and his colleague Peter Milner found that if electrodes were implanted in certain areas of the brain, especially in the middle node of the forebrain, the rat could be trained to press a lever in the cage, which included stimulation with low-voltage discharges of electricity. When the rats learned to stimulate this area, they pressed the lever up to a thousand times an hour. This gave grounds to assume that the pleasure center was being stimulated. One of the main pathways for transmitting nerve impulses in this part of the brain is dopamine, so the researchers put forward the version that the main chemical associated with pleasure is dopamine. Later, this assumption was confirmed by radionuclide tomographic scanners and the discovery of antipsychotics (drugs that suppress the productive symptoms of schizophrenia).

However, in 1997, dopamine was shown to play a more subtle role. In Schultz's experiment, a conditioned reflex was created in a monkey according to Pavlov's classical scheme: after a light signal, juice was injected into the monkey's mouth.

The results suggested that dopamine is involved in the formation and fixation of conditioned reflexes in the presence of positive reinforcement and in extinguishing them if the reinforcement stops. In other words, if our expectation of a reward is justified, the brain tells us about it by producing dopamine. If the reward does not follow, a decrease in dopamine levels signals that the model has diverged from reality. Further work showed that the activity of dopamine neurons is well described by the well-known automaton learning model: actions that quickly lead to a reward are assigned a greater value. Thus learning takes place by trial and error.

neurotransmitter

Dopamine is one of the chemical factors of internal reinforcement (IRF) and is an important part of the "reward system" of the brain, because it causes a feeling of pleasure (or satisfaction), which affects the processes of motivation and learning. Dopamine is naturally produced in large amounts during perceived positive experiences, such as delicious food, pleasurable bodily sensations, and drugs. Neuroscience experiments have shown that even memories of rewards can increase dopamine levels, so this neurotransmitter is used by the brain to evaluate and motivate, reinforcing actions important for survival and procreation.

Dopamine plays an important role in providing cognitive activity. Activation of dopaminergic transmission is necessary during the processes of switching a person's attention from one stage of cognitive activity to another. Thus, insufficiency of dopaminergic transmission leads to increased inertness of the patient, which is clinically manifested by slowness of cognitive processes (bradyphrenia) and perseverations. These disorders are the most typical cognitive symptoms of diseases with dopaminergic insufficiency - for example, Parkinson's disease.

Like most neurotransmitters, dopamine has synthetic analogues, as well as stimulators of its release in the brain. In particular, many drugs increase the production and release of dopamine in the brain by 5-10 times, which allows people who use them to experience a sense of pleasure in an artificial way. So, amphetamine directly stimulates the release of dopamine, affecting the mechanism of its transport.

Other drugs, such as cocaine and some other psychostimulants, block the natural reuptake mechanisms of dopamine, increasing its concentration in the synaptic space.

Morphine and nicotine mimic the action of natural neurotransmitters, while alcohol blocks the action of dopamine antagonists. If the patient continues to overstimulate their "reward system", gradually the brain will adapt to the artificially elevated levels of dopamine, producing less of the hormone and reducing the number of receptors in the "reward system", one of the factors inducing the addict to increase the dose to get the same effect. The further development of chemical tolerance can gradually lead to metabolic disorders in the brain, and in the long term, potentially cause serious damage to brain health.

For the treatment of Parkinson's disease, dopamine receptor agonists are often used (that is, dopamine analogs: pramipexole, bromocriptine, pergolide, etc.): today this is the most numerous group of antiparkinsonian drugs. Some of the antidepressants also have dopaminergic activity.

There are also drugs that block dopaminergic transmission, such as antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, risperidone, clozapine, etc. Reserpine blocks the pumping of dopamine into presynaptic vesicles.

With mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder ((from lat. obsessio- "siege", "envelopment", lat. obsessio- “obsession with an idea” and lat. compello- "I force", lat. compulsion- "coercion") ( OKR, neurosis of obsessive states) - mental disorder. May be chronic, progressive or episodic.), there is increased dopaminergic activity in some brain structures, in particular in the limbic pathway (in schizophrenia, in addition, reduced dopamine activity in the mesocortical dopamine pathway and prefrontal cortex is noted), and parkinsonism is associated with reduced content dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway. The process of normal aging is also associated with a decrease in the level of dopamine in the subcortical formations and the anterior parts of the brain.

Hormone

Dopamine has a number of physiological properties characteristic of adrenergic substances.

Dopamine causes an increase in peripheral vascular resistance. It increases systolic blood pressure as a result of stimulation of α-adrenergic receptors. Also, dopamine increases the strength of heart contractions as a result of stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors. The heart rate increases, but not as much as under the influence of adrenaline.

As a result of specific binding to the dopamine receptors of the kidneys, dopamine reduces the resistance of the renal vessels, increases blood flow and renal filtration in them, and increases natriuresis. There is also an expansion of the mesenteric vessels. By this action on the renal and mesenteric vessels, dopamine differs from other catecholamines (norepinephrine, adrenaline, etc.). However, at high concentrations, dopamine can cause renal vasoconstriction.

Dopamine also inhibits the synthesis of aldosterone in the adrenal cortex, lowers the secretion of renin by the kidneys, and increases the secretion of prostaglandins by the kidney tissue.

Dopamine inhibits the peristalsis of the stomach and intestines, causes relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and increases gastroesophageal and duodeno-gastric reflux. In the CNS, dopamine stimulates the chemoreceptors of the trigger zone and the vomiting center, and thus takes part in the implementation of the act of vomiting.

Dopamine does not penetrate much across the blood-brain barrier, and an increase in plasma dopamine levels has little effect on CNS functions, with the exception of effects on areas outside the blood-brain barrier, such as the trigger zone.

An increase in the level of dopamine in the blood plasma occurs with shock, trauma, burns, blood loss, stressful conditions, various pain syndromes, anxiety, fear, and stress. Dopamine plays a role in the adaptation of the body to stressful situations, injuries, blood loss, etc.

Also, the level of dopamine in the blood increases with a deterioration in the blood supply to the kidneys or with an increased content of sodium ions, as well as angiotensin or aldosterone in the blood plasma. Apparently, this is due to an increase in the synthesis of dopamine from DOPA in the tissues of the kidneys during their ischemia or under the influence of angiotensin and aldosterone. Probably, this physiological mechanism serves to correct renal ischemia and to counteract hyperaldosteronemia and hypernatremia.

A curious fact: in the human body, the same chemical substance is responsible for the determination and ability to achieve what you want, as well as for the formation of the most severe forms of addiction. This hormone dopamine is unique and amazing. Its functions are diverse, and the lack and excess lead to serious consequences and directly affect the state of health.

Dopamine - the hormone of joy

Dopamine is not for nothing called the hormone of pleasure and happiness. Naturally, it is produced during a positive human experience. With it, we enjoy elementary things: from the scent of flowers to pleasant tactile sensations.



A normal level of a substance helps a person:

• sleep well;
• think quickly and make decisions easily;
• without much effort to concentrate on the important;
• experience the pleasure of food, intimate relationships, shopping, etc.

According to the chemical composition, the hormone dopamine belongs to catecholamines, or neurohormones. These kind of intermediaries provide communication between the cells of the whole organism.

In the brain, dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter: with its help, neurons interact, impulses and signals are transmitted.

The hormone dopamine is part of the dopaminergic system. It includes 5 dopamine receptors (D1-D5). The D1 receptor affects the functioning of the central nervous system. Together with the D5 receptor, it stimulates energy and metabolic processes, participates in cell growth and organ development. D1 and D5 give energy and increase the tone of a person. The D2 and D4 receptors belong to a different group. They are more responsible for emotions and intellectual capabilities (- Bulletin of the Bryansk Medical University).

The dopaminergic system is represented by complex pathways, each of which has strictly defined functions:

• the mesolimbic pathway is responsible for sensations of desire, reward, pleasure;
• the mesocortical pathway ensures the usefulness of motivational processes and emotions;
• The nigrostriatal pathway controls motor activity and the extrapyramidal system.

By stimulating the extrapyramidal system as a neurotransmitter, dopamine provides an increase in motor activity and a decrease in excessive muscle tone. And a part of the brain called the substantia nigra determines the emotions of mothers towards their children (- Wikipedia).

What and how does the hormone affect

Dopamine is responsible for many functions in our body. It dominates immediately in 2 important systems of the brain:

• promotions;
• evaluation and motivation.

The reward system motivates us to get what we need.

We drink water, eat and enjoy it. Pleasant sensations want to repeat. And, therefore, there is a motivation to perform a certain algorithm of actions again.

The ability to remember, learn, make decisions also directly depends on the hormone dopamine. Why do young children learn new knowledge better if they receive it in a playful way? It's simple - such training is accompanied by positive emotions. Dopamine pathways are stimulated.

Curiosity is considered a variant of intrinsic motivation. It encourages you to look for answers to questions, solve riddles, explore the environment in order to learn about the world and improve. Curiosity triggers the reward system and is fully regulated by dopamine.

Swedish scientists have experimentally found out that creativity is more often manifested in people with a low density of dopamine receptors of the D-2 group in the thalamus. This area of ​​the brain is responsible for analyzing incoming information. Creativity, the ability to think outside the box, to find new solutions appear when receptors filter incoming signals less and let through more "raw" data.

Personality type (extroverted / introverted) and temperament also depend on susceptibility to the effects of dopamine. An emotional, impulsive extrovert needs more hormone to be normal. Therefore, he is looking for new experiences, strives for socialization, sometimes takes too many risks. That is, live richer. On the other hand, introverts, who need dopamine for a comfortable existence in smaller quantities, are less likely to suffer from various kinds of addictions (on English language— medical journal Science Daily).

In addition, the normal functioning of the internal organs is impossible without a certain concentration of the dopamine hormone.

It provides a stable heart rate, kidney functionality, regulates motor activity, reduces excessive intestinal motility and insulin levels.

How it functions

Structurally, the dopaminergic system is similar to the crown of a branched tree. The hormone dopamine is produced in certain areas of the brain and then distributed in several ways. It starts moving along a large "branch", which later branches into smaller ones.

Dopamine can also be called the "hormone of heroes." The body actively uses it in the production of adrenaline. Therefore, in critical situations (with injuries, for example), there is a sharp jump in dopamine. So the hormone helps a person adapt to a stressful situation and even blocks pain receptors.

dopamine production

The basic substance for the production of the hormone is L-tyrosine. enters the body with food or is synthesized in the liver tissues from phenylalanine. Further, under the influence of the enzyme, its molecule is transformed and converted into dopamine. In the human body, it is formed in several organs and systems at once.

How the neurotransmitter dopamine is produced:

• in the substantia nigra of the midbrain;
• nucleus of the hypothalamus;
• in the retina of the eye.

Synthesis occurs in the endocrine glands and some tissues:

• in the spleen;
• in the kidneys and adrenal glands;
• in the cells of the bone marrow;
• in the pancreas.

The impact of bad habits on hormone levels

Initially, the hormone dopamine served a person exclusively for the good.

He motivated our ancestors to get high-calorie food and rewarded him with a portion of pleasant sensations for this.

Now food has become available and in order to achieve the desired level of enjoyment from it, people begin to overeat. Obesity is a serious medical problem in all developed countries.



Chemical substances artificially provoke the production of the hormone: nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, etc. Under their influence, a dopamine surge occurs, we experience pleasure and strive to get its dose again and again. What is happening in the body at this time? The brain adapts to excessive stimulation of dopamine receptors and, saving them from "burnout", reduces the natural production of the hormone. Its level falls below the norm, there is dissatisfaction, bad mood, discomfort.

To improve the psycho-emotional status, a person again resorts to artificial stimulation. This helps for a short time, but the receptors continue to lose sensitivity, some of the nerve cells die. A vicious circle arises: tolerance to an excess of the hormone grows, pleasure becomes less, tension increases. Now a portion of nicotine or alcohol is needed for a normal state, and not for a "high".

Refuse bad habit- it's not easy. After the abolition of the stimulant, the receptors recover for a long time and painfully. A person experiences torment, inner pain, depression. The recovery period for an alcoholic, for example, lasts up to 18 months, or even longer. Therefore, many do not stand up and again fall on the dopamine "hook".

The role of physical activity

Good news: there is a way to increase the amount of the substance and without harm to health. The hormone dopamine is released during exercise. But it is important to follow the basic principles of training:

• moderation of physical activity;
• regularity of classes.

The scheme here is simple. The body experiences little stress and begins to prepare itself for stress.

The defense mechanism is activated, for the further synthesis of adrenaline, a portion of the hormone of joy is produced.

There is even such a thing - the euphoria of a runner. During a long run, a person experiences an emotional upsurge. Systematic physical education, in addition to health benefits in general, also gives another pleasant bonus - a surge of pleasure from raising dopamine levels.

Decreased dopamine levels - consequences

Boredom, anxiety, pessimism, irritability, pathological fatigue - all these symptoms signal a lack of the dopamine hormone in the body.

With its critical decrease, more serious diseases occur:

• depression;
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;
• loss of interest in life (anhedonia);
• Parkinson's disease.

The lack of a hormone also affects the work of some organs and systems.

There are disorders in the cardiovascular system, pathologies of the endocrine organs (thyroid and sex glands, adrenal glands, etc.), libido decreases.

To determine the level of dopamine, doctors send the patient to a urine (less often blood) test for catecholamines.

If the lack of a substance is confirmed, doctors prescribe:

• dopaminomimetics (spitomine, cyclodinone, dopamine);
• L-tyrosine;
• preparations and supplements containing an extract of the gingo biloba plant.

List of foods that affect the level of the hormone dopamine

What causes high levels of dopamine

An excess of the hormone dopamine also does not bode well for a person. Moreover, dopamine excess syndrome is dangerous. The risk of developing severe mental illness increases: schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive and other personality disorders.

Too high an amount appears as:

• hyperbulia - a painful increase in the intensity of hobbies and interests, rapid variability;
• increased emotional susceptibility;
• excessive motivation (consequence - workaholism);
• the predominance of the abstract nature of thinking and / or confusion of thoughts.

The reason for the formation of various pathological addictions also becomes elevated level hormone. A person suffers from such painful addictions as gambling, drug addiction, uncontrolled craving for computer games and social networks.

However, the biggest problem in violation of the normal production of dopamine is the irreversible degradation of certain areas of the brain.

Conclusion

Live Consciously! Keep the dopamine hormone normal. In this state, you will feel great, achieve what you want and enjoy life. Control your hormones so they don't control you. Be healthy!