DOPAMINE DEFICIENCY (LACK OF MOTIVATION)
Written by Slawomir Gromadzki (“Swavak”), MPH
WHAT IS DOPAMINE
Dopamine is one of the feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters (along with serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins). It is a very important brain chemical necessary for controlling mood, motivation, learning, sleep, ability to focus and concentrate, memory, or coordinating fluent body movements.
Dopamine deficiency is associated with various health problems including depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s, ADHD, and other conditions.
Also any form of addiction (sex, food, stimulants, etc.) leads to deficiency of this hormone.
SYMPTOMS OF LOW DOPAMINE LEVELS
– Chronic boredom and lack of motivation. Without enough dopamine whenever you start doing things that require patience and time you quickly give up due to the lack of motivation. You are unable to keep promises and resolutions. Lab mice with dopamine deficiency are so deprived of motivation to eat that they starve to death even though food is available all the time (>). Read also: Unmotivated to exercise? Dopamine could be to blame >
– Low mood, depression and mood swings. Dopamine-based depression expresses itself in the form of lethargy and lack of enjoyment of life, while serotonin-based depression tends to be accompanied by anxiety. According to Ward W. Bond, Ph.D., “The type of depressive-feeling caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain is a very low energy depression, with a lack of motivation. If you are low in serotonin, you would be craving carbs (sugar), dairy or even bananas. If you are low in dopamine, then you tend to reach for stimulating foods such as coffee or chocolate. If your problem is not with serotonin, but only a lack of dopamine, then you probably won’t feel much anxiety, but you will have trouble getting going in the morning.” Read more about Depression and Serotonin >
– Learning difficulties.
– Insomnia and other sleep problems.
– Inability to concentrate or focus properly (mental fog).
– Slow thinking and monotone speech.
– Forgetfulness.
– Problems with coordinating fluent body movements (shaking hands, etc.).
– Fatigue and difficulty to get going in the morning.
– Difficulties in experiencing pleasure.
– Social withdrawal and inability to connect with others.
– Sugar or caffeine cravings.
– Tendencies to avoid eye contact.
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF LOW DOPAMINE LEVELS
– Any addiction (drugs, sugar, chocolate, stimulants, sex, food, etc.) leads to a severe dopamine deficiency. Addictions (chronic masturbation, addiction to caffeine, alcohol, smoking, drugs, chocolate, sugar, games, etc.) lead to dopamine deficiency because whenever you experience a pleasure (associated with addiction) your dopamine-producing cells flood your brain with dopamine so that you could experience a pleasure. Certain addictions including drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines cause up to 10 times more dopamine release. Also, other addictive behaviours produce a similar effect. As a result of repeating the same addictive behaviours and forcing brain cells to produce so much dopamine every day makes them exhausted and unable to make enough of this hormone in-between moments of pleasure associated with addictions, thus leading to dopamine deficiency symptoms. Studies confirmed that brains of addicts release much less dopamine and have fewer dopamine receptors.
– Lack of exercise, sleep, and sunlight.
– In Parkinson’s disease own immune system turns against dopamine-producing brain cells destroying them and causing dopamine deficiency. Read more about Parkinson’s >
– Diet high in sugar and saturated fats leads to dopamine deficiency (>).
– Caffeine and alcohol have been proved to lower dopamine.
– Deficiency of amino acid L-tyrosine (the major building block of dopamine).
– Deficiency of all B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, copper, and iron (all are cofactors needed to turn l-tyrosine into dopamine) (>, >, >).
– Vitamin D deficiency (extremely common today) as it activates the genes that release dopamine (>, >).
– Obese people have a fewer number of dopamine receptors.
– Hypothyroidism.
– Exposure to lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium.
HEALTHY & EFFECTIVE WAYS TO BOOST DOPAMINE
– The most important element of improving the ability to regulate dopamine is treating addictions > including chronic masturbation and other sexual addictions >
– Exercise for 60 minutes every day is one of the most efficient ways to increase the production of dopamine.
– Sunlight exposure may increase dopamine levels >
– Consume more of the following to boost dopamine: Almonds, bananas, sunflower seeds, apples, strawberries, pulses, sesame and pumpkin seed, avocados, watermelon, beets, green leafy vegetables, sea vegetables, oatmeal, turmeric, wheat germ.
– L-Tyrosine is the most important supplement to boost dopamine: 2000mg a day on an empty stomach. In the case of depression and drug addiction increase the dosage to over 5000mg per day.
– L-Phenylalanine supplementation might be useful to as this amino acid is converted into L-tyrosine.
– Antioxidants (Alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C, E, etc.) are important as they prevent dopamine oxidation.
– L-Phenylalanine: 1000mg on an empty stomach in the morning.
– Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). A study published in the September 2009 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology has shown that ashwagandha root extract was able to raise dopamine levels. At the same time, it improved motor function in test animals who had their dopamine levels reduced by chemical antagonists to mimic Parkinson’s disease (>). Read more about Ashwagandha >
– Rhodiola: 300-700 mg two times a day.
– Increasing omega-3 intake can help elevate dopamine levels. Focus on consuming chlorella, fresh ground flax seed, fresh cold-pressed flax oil, chia seeds, and good quality vegan Omega-3 oil high in EPA and DHA. Avoid eating fish and seafoods as they are usually contaminated with mercury, lead and other toxins.
– Resveratrol may help increase dopamine levels >
– Instead of B6 take P-5-P to make sure the neurotransmitters are made.
– Take L-dopa in the form of Macuna Prurins (velvet bean, cowhage) to boost dopamine.
– Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a small herb with purple flowers. It is often recommended for digestive problems, haemorrhage, or memory loss. In the book, “Herbal Remedies,” naturopathic doctors Asa Hershoff and Andrea Rotelli claim that periwinkle is beneficial for various cognitive function problems, especially memory loss because it increases dopamine and noradrenaline, which are involved in memory and cognition.
– Do not overdose or use 5-HTP and melatonin supplements for a long time as both can deplete dopamine. The most significant side effects occur with long-term use (many months). Administration of 5-HTP depletes catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine). However, since 5-HTP is the most important supplement to boost serotonin levels I wouldn’t give up on it but use it in a wise way by taking it only one time a day in the evening to boost serotonin, melatonin, to make you calm and sleepy, while L-tyrosine in the morning to boost dopamine to increase focus. In addition, after every month of using 5-HTP have a one week break.
– If increasing dopamine is your goal avoid or reduce white mulberry (Morus alba), noni (Morinda citrifolia), magnolia bark (Magnolia officinalis), and liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) as they tend to lower dopamine.
– The following drugs, called dopamine antagonists are known to block dopamine activity: Tricyclic antidepressants, nausea and vomiting medications, and some antipsychotics.
– There’s evidence that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by phones disrupts levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine (>)
– Remove mercury from your body using Chlorella powder or tablets.
– Meditation has been proved to cause healthy dopamine release (>). I recommend daily prayers in the form of opening heart before loving God and talking to Him using own words until you feel the influence of His Spirit.
– Also reading good spiritual literature such as Bible (starting from the Gospel of John) or book Desire of Ages > (the most beautiful book about the life of Jesus) by Ellen G White can be one of the best and most effective ways of boosting dopamine levels.
– Also Knitting, gardening, enjoying nature, playing and listening to melodious and happy music, painting, photography, and other healthy and happy activities can positively influence dopamine levels (>).
– Another good way to control dopamine levels is HYDROTHERAPY >
SOURCES
– http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/dopamine-deficiency/
– https://bebrainfit.com/dopamine-deficiency/
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