Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for a variety of functions in your brain and other parts of your body. Having low levels of dopamine can lead to health problems. Dopamine controls movement and the flow of information to the frontal lobe of your brain. Additionally, dopamine facilitates the important functions in your body's cardiovascular, endocrine, renal and central nervous system.
Disorders of Deficiency
Dopamine deficiency in your body can cause mood swings, erratic sleeping patterns, decreased libido and a predilection to drug addiction, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Additionally patients with Parkinson's disease and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) typically have low levels of dopamine. However, a dopamine level is often a side effect that results from these disorders and not the underlying cause of the disorder.
Understanding Dopamine
Dopamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter that, when it binds to transmitters in your brain, releases several downstream signals. Your body derives dopamine from the amino acid tyrosine and then modifies the tyrosine to form DOPA. DOPA later becomes dopamine, which is a precursor to norepinephrine and epinephrine. Your body requires the right balance of these elements in your brain to maintain optimal health. Dopamine is not only important for your brain, but also for your entire body.
Dopamine Supplements
When taking dopamine supplements, you need to understand how your brain receives and absorbs dopamine. The supplements don't actually contain dopamine. The blood brain barrier prevents the absorption of dopamine unless your brain has L-dopa present. Instead, dopamine supplements have precursor ingredients such as tyrosine, amino acids, essential fatty acids and vitamins. These ingredients help your brain produce dopamine naturally. If you are diagnosed with low levels of dopamine, you can increase dopamine levels by taking dopamine supplements under the supervision of a medical professional.
Cause of Dopamine Deficiency
Several conditions can lower dopamine levels in your body including chronic stress, tyrosine deficiency, inadequate sleep, estrogen deficiency, Parkinson's disease and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Using illegal drugs such as opiates, marijuana, alcohol and caffeine can cause dopamine deficiencies.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Parkinson's Disease; Steven D. Ehrlich; March 2010
- The University of Texas at Austin: Dopamine - A Sample Neurotransmitter
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Dennis Kasper, Eugene Braunwald, Stephen Hauser, Dan Longo, J. Larry Jameson and Anthony Fauci; 2004
- Cornell University: Psychologist Finds Dopamine Linked to a Personality Trait and Happiness; Susan Lang
