All humans want is happiness – it’s part of our nature. It’s why we’re constantly chasing scenarios that make us feel good, even at our own expense.
Our Chase for Dopamine
Often, our chase for dopamine becomes part of an addictive behavioural cycle. Despite the long-term consequences often not being worth it, we:
- Put in overtime and work extra hard to please our boss daily.
- Order something online so we can celebrate when a parcel arrives.
- Enjoy our favourite food and drinks, regardless of their unhealthiness.
These are all things that can stimulate a rush of dopamine. However, the dopamine rush doesn’t last long, causing your mood to fall rapidly.
Therefore, instead of chasing momentary pleasures, it’s much more beneficial and sustainable to start investing time into improving dopamine levels naturally.
What is Dopamine? What Does Dopamine Do?
Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter that transmits chemicals between your nerve cells. It is most known for its role in your ability to feel pleasure, but it can also be responsible for your capacity to focus and think clearly.
When you experience positive feelings after accomplishing something, it’s due to increased dopamine in your brain.
Dopamine also plays a crucial role in several other essential functions, including
- Regulation of movement and coordination
- Reward and motivation via the brain’s reward system in response to pleasurable stimuli, such as food, sex, and drugs of abuse
- Regulation of emotion and mood plays a role in depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
- Regulation of hormones such as prolactin
The Consequences of Low Dopamine
Dopamine levels in the brain can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and medical conditions. When you’ve been struggling with your mental health or ability to function, it could be due to your body’s low dopamine levels.
Imbalances in dopamine levels have been implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Low levels of dopamine can result in several consequences, including:
- Depression: Dopamine is involved in regulating mood, and low levels of dopamine can lead to symptoms of depression, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities.
- Lack of motivation: Low levels of dopamine can cause a lack of motivation and make it difficult to find pleasure in life.
- Addictive behaviour: Dopamine plays a role in the brain’s reward system, and low levels of dopamine can contribute to addictive behaviour and substance abuse.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Low dopamine levels have been linked to symptoms of ADHD, such as difficulty with attention and impulse control.
- Decreased cognitive function: Low dopamine levels can impact cognitive function, including memory, decision-making, and attention.
Although it’s worth speaking to a medical professional for an official diagnosis, thankfully, low dopamine levels don’t always need medication to fix. There are plenty of ways to improve dopamine naturally.
6 Natural Ways to Increase Dopamine Levels Naturally
If you want to improve your dopamine levels, you’ll be delighted to find that many of the “cures” can be completed as an extension of your everyday life.
You should try:
- Exercise more. Even if you aren’t a fan of going to the gym or running, you should start walking to places that would usually take a short car journey.
- Meditate during the day. Before you go to bed and after you wake up, dedicate 5 minutes of your time to slowing your breathing and heart rate – thinking positive thoughts.
- Get more sunlight. Instead of closing the curtains as you work on the computer, make a conscious effort to leave them open during the day.
- Listen to upbeat music. Consider listening to songs that make you feel empowered and happy rather than those that bring you down or touch upon a sensitive subject.
- Sleep optimally. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep every night, as this will give your body the dopamine it needs to keep you focused.
- Restrict your diet. More fruits and vegetables and a reduction of fat in your meals could make a significant difference to your mental health.
With a little bit of determination, these are all straightforward methods that can improve your dopamine levels naturally. If symptoms persist, consider seeking further help from Men’s Health Clinic.
