Dopamine is a useful neurotransmitter connected to the brain's pleasure center. In many people, dopamine is released throughout the day when the appropriate stimuli trigger a response. However, for some people, dopamine is produced excessively. This leads to a number of health problems, but treatment is available.
Function
Dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters responsible for pleasure, according to the Addiction Research Unit at the University of Buffalo. When dopamine is at normal, controlled levels, your body experiences joy in response to certain stimuli. Without dopamine and similar neurotransmitters, it would be virtually impossible to feel "happy." Dopamine also contributes to overall alertness, cognition and motor skills. The drug methylphenidate is used to raise dopamine levels to increase focus in patients with ADHD, according to the University of Utah.
Natural Causes
Chronic stress can excess dopamine levels in the brain. Additionally, low zinc, iron and vitamin B levels raise dopamine production. In women, estrogen deficiency can lead to excess dopamine. Excess dopamine levels also result from natural changes in brain chemistry, passed on genetically. Some people simply produce extra dopamine naturally, regardless of their lifestyle choices.
Unnatural Causes
Recreational drug usage can increase dopamine levels. Many recreational drugs produce excess dopamine to be released as a neurological "reward" for drug use. This is one neurological source of drug addiction, as your body begins to crave the excess dopamine released during drug usage. Prescription drugs, specifically monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can also increase dopamine levels. MAOIs are often prescribed for depression and anxiety. With the right dosage level, MAOIs can effectively increase mood without fostering addiction.
Effects
When dopamine levels increase, the immediate effect is increased joy. However, over time, excess dopamine will lead to addiction, hallucinations, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. In severe cases, excess dopamine can also impair motor skills. Excess dopamine is also believed to cause Tourette's syndrome, according to the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Washington. Tourette's is characterized by involuntary vocal or motor tics.
Treatment
Dopamine inhibitors are available by prescription. Neurological disorders, like Tourette's syndrome, can be managed with inhibitors, but dopamine inhibitor medications will not fully cure Tourette's. In the case of recreational drug induced dopamine production, it's important to quit drug use immediately. When a person stops using recreational drugs, dopamine levels will eventually decline. However, the brain may not fully repair itself, and dopamine inhibitors are sometimes necessary. For prescription drugs, discuss alternatives or a lower-dosing regimen with your doctor.
