Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDopamine Deficiency Signs and SymptomsCauses of Low DopamineAssociated ConditionsHow to Fix

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Dopamine Deficiency Signs and Symptoms

Causes of Low Dopamine

Associated Conditions

How to Fix

Close

Dopamine is aneurotransmitter—a chemical in the body—that carries signals from the brain to the body. It is produced naturally in the brain and plays an important role in movement, cognition, reproduction, mood, learning, memory, sleep, and more.

Dopamine deficiency, in which too little dopamine is available or processed, can cause problematic changes in mood, memory, sleep, social behavior, and the many other processes that this neurotransmitter helps regulate. Dopamine performs these important functions despite making up only a small percentage—less than 1 percent —of the brain’s neurons.

What happens if you have dopamine deficiency?Dopamine deficiency has been linked toneurodegenerative conditionsin the body. If you have symptoms of low dopamine levels, you might feel:Anxious or moodyDepressed or hopelessForgetfulIndifferent about things you used to enjoyUnable to concentrateUnable to sleepUnmotivatedUninterested in sexWithdrawn

What happens if you have dopamine deficiency?

Dopamine deficiency has been linked toneurodegenerative conditionsin the body. If you have symptoms of low dopamine levels, you might feel:Anxious or moodyDepressed or hopelessForgetfulIndifferent about things you used to enjoyUnable to concentrateUnable to sleepUnmotivatedUninterested in sexWithdrawn

Dopamine deficiency has been linked toneurodegenerative conditionsin the body. If you have symptoms of low dopamine levels, you might feel:

How Dopamine Influences Your Mental Health

With links to conditions likeschizophreniaand Parkinson’s disease, dopamine deficiency can cause similar symptoms, such as:

Causes of Dopamine Deficiency

Any number of factors might be responsible for low dopamine levels. These include sleep deprivation, obesity, drug abuse, saturated fat intake, and stress. Here’s a closer look at each.

Sleep Deprivation

However,sleep deprivationcan reduce the number of D2 receptors in important areas of the brain, impeding dopamine transmission and production. In fact, with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, many people lack sufficient dopamine and feel excessive daytime sleepiness.

Obesity

Among the other issues to which obesity has been linked is dopamine deficiency. Like sleep deprivation, obesity can lead to a reduction in D2 receptors.This becomes especially apparent when comparing the number of receptors in people who are and are not obese.

Drug Abuse

During early usage, certain drugs can contribute to an increase in dopamine.Cocaine, for example, produces euphoria and boosts dopamine levels. However, long-term use of these drugs is certain to offer diminishing returns, especially where dopamine production is concerned.

Because of the sustained increase in dopamine production following drug use, the brain intervenes to reduce the number of dopamine receptors available.

Saturated Fat

When you have fried chicken, buttered bread, chocolate, and other foods high in saturated fats, your brain understandably lights up with dopamine at all the pleasure you’re receiving from these foods.

However, these foods produce only short-term enjoyment. Over time, a high-fat diet disrupts central nervous system functioning and disrupts dopamine production, in turn leading to a deficit.

Stress

Stressorssuch as financial, relationship, workplace, and family life issues, can affect your body’s production of dopamine. Over time, this can lead to a deficiency.

Conditions Linked to Low Dopamine

A few of the conditions that can lead to low dopamine symptoms includes the following.

Major Depressive Disorder

Both anhedonia and dopamine deficiency are related to a disruption in the mind’s reward process, which involves anticipation, motivation, and decision-making. Decreased levels of dopamine have been associated with major depressive disorders.

The Chemistry of Depression

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition that can cause an abnormal interpretation of reality and, in turn, can affect a person’s ability to think and act. Some of its symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and abnormal gait, can also be attributed to dopamine deficiency.

Dopamine deficiency has been linked to other symptoms of illness such as anhedonia, an inability to complete tasks, and demotivation to engage in social interactions.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is the result of a number of factors, one of which is a reduction in the production of dopamine in the brain. When there is a dopamine deficit, this can cause the distinct movement difficulties associated with this condition.

How to Treat Low Dopamine Symptoms

Low dopamine levels can produce negative reactions throughout the body. Some things that you can do to fix low dopamine include getting regular exercise, eating foods that support dopamine production, consuming probiotics, and listening to music

Exercise

Natural Sources

Probiotics

Probiotics may get more notice for promoting gut health, but this bacteria is not only an important part of the body’s microbiome, it may also be useful for the production of dopamine and other neurotransmitters.

What Influences Your Mood?—and How to Improve Your Mood

Music

Music has been shown to stimulate dopamine production in the brain, generating the familiar feelings of pleasure and excitement you experience when you listen.

The Takeaway

Dopamine creates feelings of pleasure, excitement, and motivation when you’re carrying out activities. Things start to go south, however, when the body runs low on this neurotransmitter. This can happen because of a genetic predisposition, obesity, stress, and other causes. Common symptoms include persistent tiredness, constipation, low moods, sleep disorders, and other negative effects. Eating well, listening to music, routinely exercising, and socializing can help you avoid dopamine deficiency.

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