Dopamine has been making headlines these days. Check out some of the latest articles on this feel-good neurochemical:
“Can dopamine décor make your home a happier place to be?” (Cosmopolitan)
“‘Dopamine dressing’ is our new post-pandemic salve” (Mic)
“Break the cycle of addiction with these strategies to keep dopamine in check” (NPR)
Why is dopamine top of mind? A growing number of people are aware of dopamine’s influence on pleasure, but this unique neurotransmitter is involved in so much more. For example, it helps with focus and staying on task. Dopamine also supports the brain’s ability to recall life’s significant moments, whether good or bad. Dopamine can be likened to a “chemical of more.” You always want more of it since it is the principal neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. Let’s take a deeper dive into this fascinating neurochemical.
Why is dopamine top of mind? A growing number of people are aware of dopamine’s influence on pleasure, but this unique neurotransmitter is involved in so much more. Click To TweetWHAT IS DOPAMINE?
Synthesized in the ventral tegmental area in the brainstem and substantia nigra, dopamine is the neurotransmitter of wanting, especially wanting more. It is involved with anticipation, possibility, love, and seeking success to maximize future resources. Dopamine is released when you expect a reward (food, sex, money, shopping) or when you get an unexpected happy surprise. It is involved with motivation (going toward a reward), memory, mood, and attention.
Think of dopamine as a salesman that drives you to pursue a better life. But like many salesmen, it can also lie to you and promise you pleasure when, in fact, pain will result (such as engaging in drug abuse or affairs).
Dopamine also helps to regulate motor movements, which is why you jump when you get excited, such as when your team wins the World Series, or when your child hits a home run in Little League.
There are 2 main brain dopamine systems that relate to happiness:
- The dopamine reward center in the front half of the nucleus accumbens of the basal ganglia (involved with seeking pleasure and addiction). Think of the dopamine reward system involved with wanting and desire.
- The dopamine control center that enhances the activity of the prefrontal cortex/orbitofrontal cortex and helps you think before you act and stop unhelpful behaviors. The dopamine control center is involved with forward-thinking, judgment, planning, impulse control, and long-term happiness.
Think of these 2 systems as the gas (dopamine reward center) and the brakes (dopamine control center); both are essential to get anywhere special.
CAN DOPAMINE IMBALANCES CAUSE PROBLEMS?
For happiness and a healthy sense of drive, dopamine needs to be balanced. Too much or too little of it causes problems. For example, too much dopamine has been associated with agitation, obsession or compulsions, psychosis, and violence. Of the more than 100 murderers who have had brain SPECT imaging done at Amen Clinics, nearly half of them committed their crimes when they were on methamphetamines, which raises the brain’s dopamine levels.
Too little dopamine can cause depression, low motivation, apathy, fatigue, boredom, Parkinson’s disease, impulsivity, sugar cravings, and thrill-seeking and conflict-seeking behavior. Low dopamine is also thought to be the primary issue in ADD/ADHD (often associated with short attention span, distractibility, disorganization, procrastination, and impulse control issues). Many people with ADD/ADHD play the game of “Let’s have a problem” in an unconscious attempt to stimulate dopamine.
9 WAYS TO BALANCE DOPAMINE NATURALLY
Keeping dopamine balanced is critical to happiness. Here are 10 natural ways to do it.
1. Consume foods high in tyrosine.
An amino acid building block for dopamine, tyrosine can be found in almonds, bananas, avocados, eggs, beans, fish, chicken, and dark chocolate.
2. Try a diet that’s higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates.
In animal studies, ketogenic diets have been shown to increase dopamine availability in the brain. Eating highly processed and sugary foods leads to cravings and overeating, which leave a strong imprint on the pleasure centers in the prefrontal cortex and lead to weight gain. Being overweight can impair dopamine pathways.
3. Make physical exercise a habit.
Physical exercise increases levels of dopamine, while slowing down brain cell aging. Exercise has also been associated with improved mood and a better overall outlook on life.
4. Say “om.”
Hundreds of research studies have demonstrated the overall health benefits of prayer and meditation (or focusing your mind). One study found that dopamine production jumped 65% following a single hour of meditation.
5. Get a rubdown.
Exciting research has demonstrated that massage therapy increases dopamine levels by about 30% while decreasing the stress hormone cortisol.
6. Get adequate sleep.
To ensure that your brain increases dopamine naturally, make sure you get enough sleep. Lack of sleep has been shown to reduce concentrations of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, and their receptors.
7. Listen to calming music.
It is no surprise that listening to calming music can increase pleasurable feelings, improve mood, reduce stress, and help with focus and concentration. Research has demonstrated that much of this occurs because of an increase in dopamine levels.
8. Go outside.
Sunlight exposure increases dopamine in the brain, according to research.
9. Take nutritional supplements.
The herbals ashwagandha, rhodiola, and panax ginseng have been found to increase dopamine levels, promoting improved focus and increased energy while enhancing endurance and stamina. Other supplements that increase dopamine include curcumins, l-theanine, and L-tyrosine, which promote alertness, attention, and focus.
Depression, violence, obsessions and compulsions, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
What is your best supplement recommendation to help increase dopamine levels?
Comment by Debbbie — June 1, 2022 @ 4:22 AM
Thank you for the reminders. Thanks, also, for the ‘permission’ : ) to get a massage.
Comment by Ruth Vincent — June 1, 2022 @ 5:42 AM
Getting adequate sleep is so often recommended but the problem is that so many of us suffer from insomnia. Today’s health system and physician training does so little to promote assisting patients with chronic insomnia other than medication. CBT-I is rarely offered to patients as an alternative to medication. We desperately need to have more physician training and offering CBT-I as resource for insomnia. Just telling people to get more sleep does not offer any relief.
Comment by Kathy — June 1, 2022 @ 7:20 AM
Your information is literally life saving. Thank you for sharing and updates.
Comment by Sharon Falls — June 1, 2022 @ 7:55 AM
What is the best supplement to improve dopamine? Also memory, focus and energy?
Comment by Jackie J — June 1, 2022 @ 8:15 AM
Very helpful at a time Ian trying to approach my conditition more positively.Recovrting from auto accident, flatlined,,kidney infection and k stone and rehab took my drivers license before COVID. More dopne would be welcome!
Comment by BettyeJewell — June 1, 2022 @ 8:39 AM
Hello Jackie, thank you for reaching out. Here are some additional articles from BrainMD Health regarding dopamine and supplements:
https://brainmd.com/blog/7-best-ways-to-naturally-increase-dopamine-in-your-brain/
https://brainmd.com/blog/7-ways-to-boost-dopamine-focus-and-energy/
Comment by Amen Clinics — June 1, 2022 @ 7:14 PM
Hello Debbie, thank you for reaching out. Here are some additional articles from BrainMD Health regarding dopamine and supplements:
https://brainmd.com/blog/7-best-ways-to-naturally-increase-dopamine-in-your-brain/
https://brainmd.com/blog/7-ways-to-boost-dopamine-focus-and-energy/
Comment by Amen Clinics — June 1, 2022 @ 7:16 PM
Hello Dr. Amen! and lovely helpful Amen Team!
What is the Clinical dose for Rhodiola to work on increasing Dopamine? And is there any brand you could recommend? (Living Nutrition vs PureEncapsulations)
Thank you!
Comment by Mihaela — June 4, 2022 @ 8:48 AM
I have highest-activity COMT haplotype. Increasing my risk of depression, high rates, of ADHD, heart disease, etc… it greatly reduces my dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin. Found out thru DNA testing. I am hoping the Amen Clinic could some day address this issue. Thank you
Comment by Loriann — June 5, 2022 @ 5:16 PM
My son has delusional disorder. Any special recommendations?
Comment by Jennifer — June 6, 2022 @ 3:47 PM
Well from my research increased levels of dopamine causes quick ejaculation In men. I am really looking for a way to balance this level of dopamine in a man suffering from this .
Comment by Michael — November 17, 2022 @ 6:47 PM
Are used to smoke marijuana every day for at least the 10 years I lost my job I stop smoking marijuana I can no longer sleep. I feel like I have restless leg syndrome, struggling to shut the brain down for bed. I was getting very agitated, angry mentally unstable, quitting the marijuana use is helping me already, but how do I start to sleep? I heard that I have to reset my dopamine’s.
Comment by Marven McQuade — December 11, 2022 @ 12:51 PM
For some of us Ashwagandha destroyed the stomach and caused massive bloating.
Comment by Vic Giddy — December 27, 2022 @ 7:40 AM
I didn’t see how to lower dopamine (due to a low comt)?
Comment by Faith — December 31, 2022 @ 10:29 PM
I'm homozygous for Val158Met AA which I understand means I have up to 4X higher than average dopamine levels. Everything in this article talks about increasing dopamine levels. Should I be trying to decrease it? How do I know if my high dopamine levels are working for me or against me?
Comment by Karen Worstell — January 7, 2023 @ 2:09 PM
Interesting and helpful
Comment by T — January 18, 2023 @ 5:40 PM
What are the vitamins to improve Dopamine
Comment by Mary — January 30, 2023 @ 7:47 PM
How do I get a counselor
Comment by Mary — January 30, 2023 @ 7:48 PM
Hello Mary, thank you for reaching out. For more information about Dr. Daniel Amen's recommended, brain-directed supplements visit https://brainmd.com/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — February 7, 2023 @ 7:59 AM
Hello Mary, for more information about SPECT scans and our services, please contact our Care Coordinators: https://www.amenclinics.com/schedule-visit/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — February 7, 2023 @ 8:00 AM
Thank you for a this very helpful article! What I have taken from it …Is the importance of getting balances in all these areas
Comment by Yvonne — March 10, 2023 @ 4:13 AM
Apparently my dopamine is too high and I’ve developed involuntary movements (Tardive Dyskinesia). What are some natural ways to lower dopamine?
Comment by Julia Campitelli — March 10, 2023 @ 8:08 AM
So my son has Schizophrenia, doesn't this mean his dopamine is too high? What can I do to help lower it, and/or balance it?
Comment by April Reto — March 31, 2023 @ 7:28 AM
What do you do if your dopamine is too high?
Recent tests show 42
Long covid 250+ (my suspicion all along)
Epstein Barr Virus
Hashimoto
Untreated lyme – currently detoxing with natural doc.
Terrible migraines
Headaches
Scan shows past stroke
I've been to er's since July 2022, i was med flown to hospital first time this happened. No answers, been to countless specialists. Cardiologist, endocrinologist, neurologist in e.r to rule out seizure. Mayo clinic denied application.
Trying to cram info but not overload.
Basically I know something is wrong but I keep being brushed aside and told maybe it anxiety. That seems to be the answer when they just don't have an answer.
I'm about to turn 46
Comment by Cassandra — June 28, 2023 @ 12:05 PM
Dear Dr. AMEN,
Huge Thanks and Blessings!!!
🙏🙏🙏
Comment by Woubishet Bezuayehu — August 16, 2023 @ 3:42 PM
I have psychosis and taking Antipsychotic medication, is there a natural way to replace this medication are there supplements that you can recommend?
Comment by Theresa — September 11, 2023 @ 3:33 PM
In the case of autism spectrum disorder, it has been seen that dopamine is elevated. In this case, what nutrients/herbals/probiotics can decrease dopamine?
Comment by Oney — September 29, 2023 @ 7:00 AM
What Brain MD vitamin(s) should my 35 year old son take to decrease his dopamine level? He has a delusional disorder.
Thanks.
Comment by Joni Jarman — September 30, 2023 @ 8:49 AM
Hello Joni, thank you for reaching out. For more information about BrainMD products, please visit https://brainmd.com/contact.
Comment by Amen Clinics — October 2, 2023 @ 10:43 AM
This is so helpful and clarifying. As I read it, I thought of myself and my teen. Thank you for this info. I will use it as a catalyst for making changes.
Comment by Uchenna — October 20, 2023 @ 7:02 AM
Are there any supplements to decrease dopamine overproduction? Why is it so hard for some people who vacillate between an overload and underwhelming amount of dopamine to stay level even with a good regimen and no addictions? Why does it seem like the brain tries to counteract (or quickly grows a resistance to) medications introduced to level out this issue?
Comment by Grace — November 12, 2023 @ 12:42 AM
Thank you for the valuable information you publish! I, too would like to know how to lower dopamine levels. I also carry the COMT variant Met/Met, which translates into a 70% reduction in the enzymes that degrade dopamine, norepinephrine, estrogen and other catechols. Maybe an article on how to naturally lower dopamine levels in conjunction with this variant? Thanks 🙂
Comment by Tammy — November 29, 2023 @ 2:51 PM
very valuable information!
Comment by Doug Morris — December 5, 2023 @ 4:18 PM