Dopamine is an important messenger of the nervous system. As a so-called neurotransmitter – a kind of hormone – it transmits signals between neurons and thus ensures the control of both physical and mental movements. As a result, dopamine is responsible for a variety of bodily reactions, such as fine motor skills or body movement, but also for mental drive, well-being, joie de vivre, courage, concentration and pleasure. Dopamine constantly interacts with serotonin, which has a more dampening and relaxing effect. In addition, dopamine is released as a feeling of happiness during certain activities, such as eating or sex, and in the process arouses the desire for repetition.
Dopamine: drug addiction through “reward system”
However, this “reward system” can become dangerous when drugs are abused, because dopamine is also released more when amphetamines, opiates and cocaine are taken, leading to addiction. Nicotine also leads to the release of dopamine and thus provides feelings of happiness when smoked. Even just holding and lighting a cigarette releases dopamine. This makes it difficult for addicts to kick the habit of smoking. The amount of dopamine that sits in the brain varies from person to person and is probably also responsible for individual temperament. Researchers at Berlin’s Charité University Hospital have found that people with high dopamine concentrations are usually more anxious than those with less dopamine. People with an average amount of the neurotransmitter are usually balanced and content. However, due to its many functions, when there is a deficiency or excess of dopamine, it can quickly become dangerous.
Excess dopamine: anxiety and schizophrenia.
Dopamine is responsible for the transmission of sensations and feelings. In healthy people, this ensures stable emotional perception, because they perceive only about ten percent of all impressions and feelings that constantly surround them. People with a high dopamine concentration, however, can perceive considerably more and increasingly lose the ability to distinguish between important and unimportant sensations. If a person perceives 20 percent of all sensations, a nervous breakdown can occur. An even higher dopamine concentration leads to psychosis or schizophrenia. Dopamine antagonists such as neuroleptics, which help reduce dopamine levels, are suitable for treatment in this case.
ADD and ADHD as a result
The attention deficit syndromes ADD and ADHD are also due to a dopamine metabolic disorder. Here, dopamine is broken down too quickly, causing the nerves to be unable to filter incoming stimuli. Unlike healthy people, those affected cannot sort out useless sensations or sounds and perceive them just as intensively as important things. As a result, ADHD as well as ADHD leads to concentration disorders and attention problems.
Dopamine as the body’s natural stimulant
In other cases, however, the body uses dopamine to help itself. For example, after a long night with little sleep, the body is able to release more dopamine and use it like a stimulant as the body’s own pick-me-up. This is how it happens that despite sleep deprivation, we often still feel focused, awake as well as amazingly fit.
Dopamine deficiency: threat of Parkinson’s disease
Dopamine is responsible in the body for feelings of happiness and the reward system. The less of it is released, the sadder and more listless the respective person is. A lack of dopamine can therefore lead to depression and listlessness. Due to the effect of dopamine on physical motor activity, too low a level of dopamine can also lead to Parkinson’s disease. This has been shown to be inextricably linked to a lack of dopamine – in people with Parkinson’s, the concentration of dopamine in the brain is up to 90 percent lower than in healthy people. Parkinson’s affects older people particularly frequently. The disease, also called “shaking palsy,” is associated with the following symptoms:
- Tremor
- Head wobble
- Seizure-like sweating
- Inhibited gait
- Memory impairment
- Clumsiness
In severe cases of Parkinson’s, it may help to take dopamine-enhancing medications.
Regulating dopamine levels through inner balance
However, for all other accompanying symptoms of dopamine deficiency or excess, the administration of medications for health modulation is out of the question. Here, affected individuals must take action themselves. Optimal dopamine levels can be achieved on their own if they change their lifestyle. It can be helpful to look for a job that fulfills you, makes you happy and gives you the feeling that you have done something useful. Meditation, relaxation exercises, yoga, fasting cures or Pilates can also help to restore inner balance and thus bring the body’s dopamine to the right level.
