People suffering from anxiety and depression have become well versed in the affects of serotonin on the brain. We are all familiar with this neurotransmitter that is affectionately referred to as the happy hormone. Anti-depressant drugs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s). These drugs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. It does this by by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin, so that more serotonin is available. It’s a clever little trick. In fact it’s the same trick we use by consuming substances of addiction. What we don’t hear a lot about is dopamine.

Research has found that dopamine plays a big role in depressive illnesses.¹ Dopamine is another neurotransmitter that the brain emits, in order to keep us feeling good. But moreover its role in the brain is different from serotonin. Dopamine is the motivation hormone. It’s the one that gives you that get up and go feeling. These two neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine work side by side in the brain. It’s why depression can tend to fall into two categories, depression based on low serotonin or depression based on low dopamine.

Low Serotonin Depression

Serotonin is your feel good mood neurotransmitter so it’s not surprising that when you’re low in it, fluctuation in your moods is one of the first symptoms of this type of depression.  Lack of serotonin results in mood swings, sugar cravings, constant worrying, insomnia and a pervading sense of sadness. It’s more likely to illicit OCD type symptoms, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour. Serotonin depression can also manifest in feeling suicidal or alternatively being very aggressive.

Low Dopamine Depression

This is your thinking neurotransmitter. So people low in it, or suffering from dopamine based depression often suffer from foggy brain. They have difficulty thinking; have a poor memory, and a slow reaction time. They may also feel a lack of lust for life. A ‘what’s the point?’ feeling. They no longer feel pleasure whilst engaging in once was pleasurable activities. The shine has well and truly gone out of life. They have no motivation and find it difficult to get anything done. They sleep a lot.

There is no denying there is some overlap between low levels or both serotonin and dopamine in terms of depression. A person may be equally depleted in both of the neurotransmitters giving rise to having symptoms from both categories.

What we’re going to look at in this article is dopamine and the role it plays in our mental health and how it relates to substances we consume to make us feel good. Most drugs of abuse work by flooding the brain with dopamine. Alcoholics and drug addicts have all been found to be extremely low in dopamine². Researchers have also found sugar addicts are depleted in dopamine.³ Sugar, cocaine, nicotine, caffeine and alcohol⁴, all increase the levels of dopamine in the brain by blocking the dopamine transporter stopping the dopamine being reabsorbed by the brain.

This means the brain starts to produce a build up of dopamine in the synapsis giving the user a ‘high’.  Some drugs like cocaine actually increase the brains level to secret dopamine, which means it’s working from two angles, stopping the brain reabsorbing the dopamine and whilst increasing it at the same time.

Once the dopamine is expended the brain now deficient in dopamine, results in the subsequent crash. This requires additional substance use to jack up the dopamine levels. Continued use of substances such a cocaine down regulate the number of dopamine receptors. This means there are fewer sites for the dopamine to bind to, giving rise to a low dopamine brain chemistry. It is as they say, a vicious cycle.

But it’s not just drug use that will deplete your dopamine levels.

Stress will deplete dopamine, as will not sleeping properly, or by having adrenal issues, or by consuming an unhealthy diet (a diet high in sugar and saturated fats). A study by the Franklin Institute reported that caffeine; alcohol and sugar cause dopamine deficiency in the brain. Being obese is a dopamine killer too.

In our follow up article we’ll take a look at some of the symptoms you’re likely to experience if you’re low in dopamine. We’ll also review ways to increase your dopamine levels to help break the circle of dependency.

References

[1] Reduced Brain Norepinephrine and Dopamine Release in Treatment-Refractory Depressive Illness. Evidence in Support of the Catecholamine Hypothesis of Mood Disorders. Gavin Lambert, PhD; Mats Johansson, MD, PhD; Hans Ågren, MD, PhD; et al Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000;57(8):787-793. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.57.8.787

[2] Dopamine in drug abuse and addiction: results from imaging studies and treatment implications N D Volkow1,2,3,5, J S Fowler4, G-J Wang3 and J M Swanson6 Molecular Psychiatry (2004) 9, 557–569. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001507 Published online 6 April 2004

[3] Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Nicole M. Avena, Pedro Rada, and Bartley G. Hoebel*  Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2008; 32(1): 20–39.

[4] Neurotransmitters in alcoholism: A review of neurobiological and genetic studies. Niladri Banerjee Indian J Hum Genet. 2014 Jan-Mar; 20(1): 20–31.

[5] Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness. Troels W. Kjaera, Camilla Bertelsena, Paola Piccinib, David Brooksb, Jørgen Alvingc, Hans C. Lou

In our last article we looked at the two neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. We also looked at the different types of depression that manifest when one is depleted in one or the other.We also had a look at the nature of substances of addiction and how they interact and interfere with the regulation of dopamine in your brain. You can read Part 1 of the article here. In this article we’re going to have a look at what happens to your mind, mood and body when you’re depleted in dopamine.

In essence, what does it look like if you’re low in dopamine?  People classically suffer from the following.

Chronic depression and fatigue – You’re bored; frankly you feel unsatisfied most of the time. You’re tired all the time. You have a decrease in energy and you don’t feel motivated to exercise. There’s also a link to cold hands and feet and mood swings. Low mood means the patient reaches for stimulants such as caffeine or sugar or alcohol to give them the energy that they are so desperate for. In severe cases of dopamine deficiency the person can develop suicidal tendencies.

Oversleeping – In fact it’s one of the most important symptoms of low dopamine levels. Often these people are low in zinc, magnesium and iron, which in turn cause dopamine deficiency. Being tired and needing to sleep a lot often correlates with a lack of motivation to do anything. Patients are besieged with thoughts about not being good enough or they find it difficult to complete tasks, let alone to find the inclination to start them. Pleasure for life is significantly reduced.

Weight gain – Because of the cravings for sugar, carbs and alcohol there’s a corresponding affect with the person’s weight. The combination of sleeping a lot, no desire to do anything and eating fatty foods and sugar means there’s a might higher incident of weight gain.

Restless Leg Syndrome – Because dopamine is involved in the conductivity of the nerves, decrease in dopamine may be one of the causes of Restless leg Syndrome.

Mental Clarity – Dopamine is your mental function neurotransmitter. It’s the one that helps you focus and concentrate. Even a small fluctuation in your dopamine levels can negatively impact your ability to concentrate. Low levels of dopamine impact your memory and thinking too.

Emotions – Low dopamine levels increase feelings of intense sadness. It can make people feel socially withdrawn, apathetic and unable to see the bigger picture.

Neurological diseases – There is also a link between low dopamine levels and neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease.

It makes sense if dopamine is such an important neurotransmitter it would behove us to make more of it. And that is actually far easier than you might think.

So how do you make more?

L-Tyrosine – The major amino acid required to make dopamine is L-Tyrosine.  It has been observed to reduce anxiety and improving general mood. Tyrosine is converted to dopamine and then in turns forms norepinephrine, another mood related neurotransmitter. L-tyrosine enhances mood, improves sleep, increases emotional well-being and cognitive functions. It is especially useful for people who are suffering emotional or physical stress where there dopamine levels have become depleted.

This amino acid can be consumed through the diet or taken as a supplement. You can eat it in almonds, avocados, bananas, beef, chicken and eggs.

Curcumin – The coolest spice in town, turmeric has been making a comeback from it’s ancient days in curry, to turning up in hipster cafes as turmeric lattes. Tumerics active ingredient is curcumin. Not only a wonderful anti inflammatory it’s a wonder spice that helps increase levels of dopamine.

L-Theanine – Often referred to as theanine, it’s called the relaxing amino acid. It’s a precursor to several of the neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine and GABA. It’s known for its ability to put you in a state of calm alertness. It sharpens memory and focus and concentration. It improves recall, learning, motivation and positive mood. The best news is, that it’s readily available by drinking green tea. In fact green tea is packed full of the stuff. It works in synergy with the caffeine found in green tea. The combo of caffeine and L-Theanine helps you perform better in conative tasks than just consuming caffeine alone and wont leave you feel wired or strung out.

Sleep – Hit the pillow early and get yourself a good nights rest. There’s very little that this night time activity doesn’t solve, heal and repair.

Exercise – We hear about it all the time. But if you want to flood your brain with dopamine and serotonin, this is a seriously great place to start. Even if you hate exercising, start doing it for your mood, over your waistline and you’ll find a completely different reason to be motivated to go for a walk.

Meditation – Researchers have shown there to be a direct increase in dopamine production and meditation⁵.  In a study published by the Cognitive Brain Reaserach, scientists found a 65% increase in endogenous dopamine release by the meditators.

List your achievements – Dopamine is a reward chemical. When you can see in front of you what you’ve managed to achieve and that includes even small tasks you’ve completed, your brain spikes in dopamine. Easy!

Our brain is complex chemistry of hormones, neurotransmitters and chemicals. Often we will reach for substances that mimic the natural elements in the brain. However often these come with terrible side effects. Sugar crashes, drinking too much coffee, taking drugs, all come with the corresponding low after the substance has left our body. Far better instead, if you are low in dopamine to increase the neurotransmitter that your body is really craving. And cleverly, our brain knows just how to do that. Now all one needs is a little willpower to resist the chocolate and drink a cup of green tea instead.

References

[1] Reduced Brain Norepinephrine and Dopamine Release in Treatment-Refractory Depressive Illness. Evidence in Support of the Catecholamine Hypothesis of Mood Disorders. Gavin Lambert, PhD; Mats Johansson, MD, PhD; Hans Ågren, MD, PhD; et al Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000;57(8):787-793. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.57.8.787

[2] Dopamine in drug abuse and addiction: results from imaging studies and treatment implications N D Volkow1,2,3,5, J S Fowler4, G-J Wang3 and J M Swanson6 Molecular Psychiatry (2004) 9, 557–569. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001507 Published online 6 April 2004

[3] Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Nicole M. Avena, Pedro Rada, and Bartley G. Hoebel* Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2008; 32(1): 20–39.

[4] Neurotransmitters in alcoholism: A review of neurobiological and genetic studies. Niladri Banerjee Indian J Hum Genet. 2014 Jan-Mar; 20(1): 20–31.

[5] Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness. Troels W. Kjaera, Camilla Bertelsena, Paola Piccinib, David Brooksb, Jørgen Alvingc, Hans C. Lou