Supplements That Raise Dopamine Levels

Dopamine is a chemical called a neurotransmitter that sends signals to the body from neurons in the brain. Dopamine helps regulate metabolic activity and control mood. Certain foods can increase dopamine production while other foods and environmental factors seem to deplete the brain chemical. Some supplements can also raise dopamine levels. Consult with your physician before taking any supplements.

Tyrosine

Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid. Your body generally produces enough tyrosine, which is used to make several neurotransmitters, including dopamine. Tyrosine is available in foods, such as soy products, meat, fish, dairy, and some seeds and nuts. You can also increase your tyrosine by taking supplements. If you want to take tyrosine supplements, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that you take 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times a day. Tyrosine is best absorbed on an empty stomach.

B Vitamins

Various B vitamins may also help improve dopamine. Low levels of dopamine cause a number of illnesses, including Parkinson’s disease. A 2010 study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition” investigated vitamins B-6, B-12, folate and riboflavin levels in people with Parkinson’s disease who often times had low dopamine. People with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to have a vitamin B-6 deficiency. Adding a B complex vitamin, or a B-6 vitamin, may help your body produce more dopamine.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an important antioxidant that helps with vision, bone growth and cell growth. Vitamin A supplements may improve dopamine production, according to research on mice. A study published in “Brain Research” in 2007 examined the role of vitamin A on sleep. The researchers discovered that vitamin A deficiency led to a decrease in a certain metabolite of dopamine. Dietary sources, such as carrots, spinach, liver and kale, contain high levels of vitamin A.

Vitamin D

A number of dopamine-related conditions, such as schizophrenia and depression, are linked to low levels of vitamin D. Although researchers are not sure if vitamin D can increase dopamine, research suggests that a vitamin D deficiency alters the development of dopamine. Research published in “Psychopharmacology” in 2010 studied developmental vitamin D deficiency in rats as they aged. In adult female rats with vitamin D deficiency, researchers found an increase in dopamine transporter density. However, the male rats experienced no changes in dopamine.