You have probably ever heard of dopamine as it is an increasingly popular neurotransmitter Due to the relationship it has with well-being, this is why it is commonly known as one of the "hormones of the happiness". Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that acts as a chemical messenger and regulates very important functions. for the body such as memory, sleep, mood, heart rate, motor activity, cognition and behavior. It is extremely important for all human beings to maintain an adequate level of this substance in our brain since when this is not the case and the natural secretion of dopamine, this can have certain consequences such as the appearance of some diseases such as Parkinson's and drug addiction, among others. In this article from Psychology-Online: what is dopamine: definition and functions, we are going to let you know in detail everything about this neurotransmitter.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter of Central Nervous System that performs various functions in people and other animals. It is a tiny molecule that is made up of 22 atoms and is produced by less than 1% of neurons. Regarding the location of this neurotransmitter, it is found in the substantia nigra of the midbrain and in the prefontal area of this. The prefrontal area of the brain is in charge of carrying almost all executive calculations, as well as controlling impulses. It is said that when there are few molecules and they are degraded in the black substance of the brain, that is when diseases such as Parkinson's can appear and when there is an inadequate amount of dopamine in the prefrontal area, this can contribute to the appearance of schizophrenia and psychosis. Over time, dopamine has been considered the pleasure center, because it is the
Our lifestyle directly influences the amount of dopamine that our body produces. When we are overly stressed, abuse some toxic substances, and have little physical and mental activity, our dopamine levels drop drastically. Next, we will give you some tips so that you can raise your dopamine levels naturally.
- Do exerciseAs we well know, physical activity is extremely important for our well-being, not only physical but also emotional, since doing it contributes to the production of new cells.
- Detoxify the bodyIt is necessary to put aside the consumption of toxic substances such as tobacco, alcohol and the consumption of sugar in excess since they considerably reduce our dopamine levels. It is recommended to consume more fruits and vegetables, as well as to reduce the consumption of stimulants such as coffee.
- Meditation. Practice meditation has multiple benefitsNot only will it help us calm our minds and reduce our levels of stress and anxiety, but it has also been found to regulate dopamine levels in our brain.
- Listen to musicListening to music that we like has been found to help activate our pleasure centers and induce that our brain releases more dopamine, thus producing a greater sense of pleasure and well-being emotional.
- Explore your creativityDaring to do new and creative things increases our sense of pleasure and well-being as it makes us feel satisfied with ourselves and more motivated.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
