Dopamine is a chemical produced by the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter between brain cells. Dopamine controls the brain cells that affect movement, emotional responses and painful and pleasurable feelings. When the central nervous system provides the stimulus, the brain reacts by producing dopamine that trigger responses. Low dopamine levels have been linked to a variety of illnesses, including Parkinson's disease, ADHD, alcoholism and drug addiction.
Depression
One of the most common symptoms of low dopamine levels is depression, report doctors at Integrative Psychiatry. Depression often is characterized by boredom and apathy. Patients may feel a lack of energy and often are too tired to do anything. They have difficulty focusing. Simple stimuli such as the beauty of a sunset or a call from a friend do not produce sufficient results, leaving the person unfulfilled and empty. Many addicts who try drugs that increase dopamine production, such as amphetamines and cocaine, find they can alleviate their depression by using more drugs, increasing their risk of becoming addicted.
Mobility Issues
Mobility can become affected when dopamine levels fall too low, report doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The first sign of the disease called Parkinson's, which is characterized by low dopamine levels, is a tremor in the hands. Patients begin having trouble keeping their balance and may develop an unsteady gait to compensate for the imbalance. Limbs can become stiff and rigid. People with early stages of the disease often have vision troubles because they stop blinking. As the disease progresses, patients develop problems speaking, swallowing and breathing. They may become plagued with memory loss, constipation and sleep disturbances. Dementia is another symptoms of low dopamine levels that result in Parkinson's disease.
Weight Ggain
In a 2008 article in Nutrition & Metabolism, German doctors reported that low dopamine levels cause weight gain in many obese people. Obesity is thought to be a symptom of reduced dopamine production that leads to overcompensation by eating more food. The researchers found that weight gain was particularly evident in patients who ceased another form of dopamine stimulation, such as taking drugs, smoking or drinking alcohol. Dopamine addiction also can be set off by certain foods that create pleasure zones for some people, so that once they start eating a certain food they cannot stop. When a patient loses weight after taking dopamine-stabilizing medication, then low dopamine levels can be considered to be the cause of the symptom.
