The function of dopamine.
What is dopamine deficiency and what are the causes?
What are the symptoms of dopamine deficiency?
Is there a cure?
Is there a natural way to treat dopamine deficiency?
Most neurodegenerative diseases, e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and related dementias, present with indicators of dopamine deficiency. These two conditions alone, according to the National Library of Medicine, account for affecting 6.7 million Americans (Alzheimer’s) and one million (Parkison’s). So, it is likely that someone in your family or circle of friends, and especially among seniors, suffers from dopamine deficiency.
Dopamine is the messenger in our brains (the neurotransmitter) that turns an external event (trigger) into a physical reaction.Dopamine is often described as the ‘feelgood’ neurotransmitter. Dopamine is the chemical that conveys the message of pleasure or satisfaction to the pleasure centers of the brain, the rewards for a particular activity, a favorite melody, the act of lovemaking, or the reaction to a well-told joke.
Our motivation from birth is either ‘stick’ or ‘carrot.’ The stick is the discomfort of not doing something, e.g., not eating and hunger. The carrot may be the reward (pleasure) for achieving a personal goal. In both cases, the instruction (message) from the brain on how to react is carried by dopamine (the neurotransmitter). Low dopamine production in the brain can reduce the effectiveness of the carrot and stick, for instance, your motivation and your satisfaction.
What is dopamine deficiency, and what are the causes?
Dopamine is produced naturally in your brain. In some cases, the brain does not make sufficient of the hormone. In others, it is not the shortage of messenger cells; it is the failure of the receptor cells to respond appropriately to dopamine.
A traumatic event may damage the areas in the brain that produce dopamine. Addictions, notably cocaine, increase the demands for dopamine on the brain to achieve a positive effect.
What are the symptoms of dopamine deficiency?
There is no single symptom of dopamine deficiency, but you may experience or observe signs of it in a loved one typically,
- Lack of motivation
- Difficulty in maintaining concentration
- Short-term memory loss/forgetfulness
- Frequent tiredness
- Lack of response to previously enjoyable experiences
- Moodiness/anxiety/less interest in sex/depression
- Problems in falling asleep or interrupted sleep patterns
- Cold extremities (hands and feet)
The evidence shows that in the absence of the satisfaction that a ‘dopamine rush’ induces, the brain seeks alternative stimulation from other (often habit-forming) sources. Caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs are examples.
Anyone reading a list such as this can say, Oh! I sometimes experience that! None of them on their own indicates ill health. Still, if you become aware that one or more of the symptoms is deteriorating, you should seek advice from your healthcare provider.
Early diagnosis and treatment of dopamine deficiency or any neurodegenerative condition (such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, both of which have been associated with dopamine deficiency)) results in better outcomes and fewer complications.
Is there a cure for dopamine deficiency?
As yet, there is no cure for dopamine deficiency. There are, however, medications your doctor can prescribe to boost your dopamine levels and reduce the risk of complications. As with all chronic ((long-term) conditions, the cost of treatment can be high, so it is vital to ensure that your medications are on your health insurance provider’s formulary (list of covered drugs) and that all your specialists and care providers are ‘in-network.’
Is there a natural way to treat dopamine deficiency?
If dopamine deficiency is diagnosed, the first thing to review is the lifestyle choices and ask yourself some questions.
- Do I get enough regular exercise?
Physical activity, e.g., walking, swimming, or cycling, can help to raise dopamine levels
- Do I eat the foods that stimulate dopamine production?
The amino acid l-tyrosine is an essential ingredient in the production of dopamine. Foods that contain l tyrosine and help to stimulate the process include: –
- Chicken
- Beef
- Eggs
- Avocados
- Almonds
- Plantains (bananas)
- Are there supplements that would help to increase my dopamine levels?
As you answer these questions, you may think of changes you could make to lessen the impact and consequences of a dopamine deficiency.
IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE, PLAY ON
William Shakespeare wrote these words over six hundred years ago, the opening lines to his romantic comedy, Twelfth Night (1601/2). Did Shakespeare know then something that only recently science has made clear to us?
The play revolves around music, love, and laughter. All of them are stimuli that provoke a physical or emotional response that we experience as pleasure.
Music and sound affect many parts of our brains and bodies. Music can calm or excite. It can lay down fresh memories and trigger autobiographical memories of treasured moments buried long ago.
Music can alter moods, calm you, and excite you. Film directors and dramatists use music to enhance the spoken word and the visual images. And it is the tunes we remember before the spoken word or the lyrics.
The reaction to music triggers the brain to release dopamine, the ‘dopamine rush,’ making us feel good.
If you or someone close to you is diagnosed with a condition such as dementia that includes dopamine deficiency, listening to or making music is the ideal way to compensate.
Modern technology makes it easy to compile (stream) the music, most likely to revive autobiographic memories or create new ones.
Suppose the individual you have in mind is not technically minded. Perhaps you know someone who is. With a bit of effort and who knows what benefits a ‘dopamine rush’ will bring.
You may even enjoy the process yourself!
