Dopamine is a neurotransmitter essential for sending signals from one part of the brain to the other. Our body naturally produces dopamine and it is an important aspect for better reproduction, motor skills, and cognitive activities.
Symptoms of Low Dopamine
- Chronic back pain
- Persistent constipation
- Weight fluctuations
- Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing
- Sleep disorders
- Fatigue
- Attention difficulties
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Low moods
Causes of Low Dopamine
Sleep Deprivation
Dopamine is one of the reasons why you are alert in the morning apart from your strong blend of coffee. So, if you are sleep-deprived, your body will not be able to produce your much-needed D2 receptors which help in producing dopamine. Thus, you feel tired and low on energy in the morning.
Obesity
Being obese greatly affect the production of dopamine in the brain. It is because it reduces your D2 receptors which can impact your dopamine production.
Drug Abuse
Although at the beginning of drug use your dopamine level usually skyrockets, abusing it substantially decreases your D2 receptors. Many drugs bring you to a euphoric state. However, in the long run, it diminishes your brain’s capacity to produce dopamine. It is because your brain is now dependent on drugs regarding its dopamine requirement; hence, it decreases your D2 receptors to balance your dopamine levels.
Saturated Fat
Having too many foods high in saturated fats may increase your dopamine levels, but it is only for a short period of time. However, if you depend on food for your dopamine needs, a high-fat diet can disrupt your central nervous system. It is in the central nervous system dopamine is produced; hence, if your central nervous system is not functioning well, you are likely to experience a dopamine deficit.
Stress
Stress is another major factor of dopamine deficit. If you constantly exposing yourself to things that stress you out, your body’s ability to produce dopamine will be disrupted. Over time, being stressed all the time will lead to a decrease in neurotransmitters.
How to Treat Low Dopamine Levels
Exercise
Running, swimming, doing yoga, and other forms of exercise will significantly increase your dopamine levels. The more your work on a sweat the more dopamine you can produce. So, physical activities keep your body balanced.
Natural Sources
There is natural food you can munch on daily to help you suffice your dopamine levels. Bananas, plantain, avocado, and other fruits are known to have high levels of dopamine. Moreover, apples, spinach, tomatoes, and meat are also dopamine sources.
Probiotics
Probiotics are also known to help the body produce dopamine. Apart from its ability to promote gut health, a probiotic is an important microbiome that is essential for neurotransmitters and dopamine production.
Music
Music affects the brain regardless of the volume, the genre of music, or the quality. Music has the power to invigorate. Music stimulates dopamine production especially if you are listening to your favourite songs.
Dopamine is important to prevent you from having mental breakdowns. In this fast-paced era, it is important to stay balanced. It is important to keep your mental health stable to keep up with the cutthroat digital generation.
