Dopamine is a member of the catecholamine family, which represents a set of hormones and neurotransmitters that are produced by the adrenal glands. During times of physical or emotional stress, dopamine is released by the body into the bloodstream, according to MedlinePlus, and can cross the blood-brain barrier to trigger responses in neurotransmitter receptors in the brain. The effect of dopamine on mood and in depression in particular can vary broadly between individuals, with some experiencing it as a stimulant and others not.
Function
Dopamine is a chemical messenger. According to Medical News Today, dopamine has moved from being known as a reward chemical to being referred to as a part of the body's pleasure system. It regulates attentiveness, motivation and feelings of pleasure, leading it to be known as the "feel good" element of the brain. This makes dopamine attractive as a counteracting force in depression.
Effects
The level of dopamine interpreted by the brain controls what sensations switch on or off in the body. For mental health disorders, the University of Texas notes that dopamine antagonists can modulate dopamine levels in the body, turning off dopamine swings that may cause mood volatility or schizophrenia, and that L-Dopa, a drug that mimics dopamine, can bring up the mood and response levels of people who are depressed or have dopamine deficiency.
Misconceptions
One of the largest misconceptions about the role of dopamine in depression is that dopamine can work as a cure-all. There are many different factors in depression, especially major depressive disorder, of which dopamine is only one.
Theories/Speculation
According to "Progress In Neurobiology," one theory linking dopamine with depression considers the heritability of the disorder. Researchers posit that a genetic deficiency related to dopamine processing may make some family groups more likely to suffer from major depressive disorder than others. However, no conclusive results have been reached and more studies are needed.
Potential
As a natural "feel good" hormone, dopamine could be the key to fixing depressive cases without heavy medications that cause negative side effects. If, as "Progress In Neurobiology" suggests, researchers can pin key depressive groups to specific genotypes related to dopamine production and processing, major progress could be made in identifying potential depressives and depressive incidents, lowering suicide rates and improving quality of life for people with depression.
