Dopamine

Dopamine is a crucial chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, that plays many vital roles in both the brain and the body. In the brain, dopamine is essential for creating feelings of pleasure and reward, driving motivation, attention, and reinforcing behaviors—often called the "reward pathway." It also helps regulate mood, learning, memory, and executive functions. Dopamine's chemical structure (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) is a catecholamine related to adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Immune System

 Dopamine affects the Immune System.

Metabolism

 Dopamine may increase the body’s Basal Metabolism (BMR).

Musculoskeletal System

 Dopamine plays a role in the growth and repair of Tissues.

Nervous System

 Alzheimer's Disease patients often exhibit depleted levels of Dopamine (which indicates that restoration of Dopamine levels may be therapeutic for Alzheimer’s Disease patients).  ^[1]

 Dopamine depletion may cause Apathy.

 Dopamine increases Assertiveness.  ^[2]

 Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients may exhibit depleted levels of Dopamine.  ^[3]

 Dopamine concentrates in numerous regions of the Brain:

 Large quantities of Dopamine (over 80% of the Brain’s total content of Dopamine) concentrate in the Basal Ganglia, a component of the Extra-Pyramidal System - a critical component of the brain's motor control network, playing a key role in the regulation of involuntary movements and coordination.

 Dopamine is the most essential Neurotransmitter in the Limbic System.

 The highest concentration of Dopamine within the body is found within the Substantia Nigra (a sub-section of the Hypothalamus).  The Substantia Nigra is also the primary site of Dopamine synthesis within the body.

 Dopamine governs the function of many of the Neurons within the Ventral Tegmentum of the Midbrain, and the Ventral Tegmentum contains a large quantity of Dopaminergic Neurons (i.e., Neurons that utilize Dopamine).

 Dopamine causes Dreams to be more vivid and primal - i.e., driven more by motivational influences and primitive drives such as sex, dominance, aggression, and territoriality.

 Dopamine is the principal Neurotransmitter responsible for the emotion of Euphoria.  ^[4]

 Dopamine is essential for the correct functioning of the Hypothalamus.

 Dopamine influences Mood & Mood Disorders (optimal Dopamine levels are required for “good” Moods).

 Dopamine deficiency has been implicated as a contributory factor in Narcolepsy.

 Damage to the Substantia Nigra area of the Brain (i.e., the primary site of Dopamine synthesis) and the subsequent inability to manufacture Dopamine has been established as the primary underlying cause of Parkinson's Disease.  ^[5]

 Dopamine is a crucial Neurotransmitter for regulating spatial memory.  ^[6]

Sexual System

 Dopamine is the primary Amine found in the Penis, where it may be involved in stimulating Erections and Ejaculation.

 Dopamine transmission is involved in Sexual Desire (libido):  ^[7]

 Increased Dopamine transmission in the Nucleus Accumbens (a region of the Brain) is associated with increased (male) Sexual Desire.

Hormones

 Dopamine may stimulate the release of Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) from the Hypothalamus.  ^[8]

Substances that increase the brain's Dopamine levels are described as "dopaminergic".

Alkaloids

 Caffeine may stimulate the release of Dopamine within the Brain.  ^[9]

 Nicotine may stimulate the release of Dopamine within the Brain.  ^[10]

 Synephrine may stimulate the release of Dopamine.  ^[11]

Amino Acids

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) may enhance the release of Dopamine from Dopaminergic Neurons and may improve the binding of Dopamine to Dopamine Receptors (especially in the Striatum region of the Brain).  ^[12]

 L-Dopa is a precursor for the production of Dopamine.  ^[13]

 Phenylalanine is a precursor for the endogenous production of Dopamine.  ^[14]

 S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) may increase the production of Dopamine.  ^[15]