Dopamine is one of the 3 catecholamine neurotransmitter systems in the brain and the end point of the reward cascade.
Deficiencies in these systems (GABA, Endorphins, Serotonin and the Endo-Cannabinoids) will also negatively impact dopamine. When dopamine is not firing properly, people don't feel normal satisfaction, have difficulty coping with stress and may exhibit behavioral issues as well.
This is known as Reward Deficiency Syndrome.
Dopamine is often called the "Feel Good" neurotransmitter and it plays a key role in motivation, mood, focus and overall mental well being. When dopamine is balanced, you feel energized and motivated. Low levels can lead to sluggishness as well as a lack of motivation.
Protein foods rich in Tyrosine, which is an amino acid that helps produce dopamine can be beneficial. Reducing sugary foods and high simple carbohydrate foods can also help as these foods spike your insulin levels which can put you on a roller coaster of hypo/hyperglycemia. Exercise is also a good way to boost dopamine as well as listening to uplifting music and mindfulness meditation.
I love how amino acids like L-dopa and Tyrosine play a role in balancing the brain. Tyrosine converts to L-Dopa (an amino acid precursor). L-dopa converts to a neurotransmsmitter in our brain called dopamine. Again, dopamine is the end point of the reward cascade that so many people are deficient in. Those feelings of alertness, energy, mental focus and drive, enthusiasm, joy and pleasure, as well as the most important reward, being able to deal with stress management are just some of the problems in everyday life.
Alcohol and drug dependency do not help alleviate the symptoms, they just add to the problem.
When people feel down and unexcited about life, they tend to reach for a substance or behavior (gambling as an example) that tends to create more dopamine and they continue to keep reaching for more of it. In recovery they are not teaching about feeding the brain first which is what is required to help the symptoms and prevent relapse. Relapse is very common because of the lack of knowledge that people struggling with addictive behaviors don't get. Since your body doesn't make 9 of the 20 amino acids, you have to get them from protein foods and/or amino acid dietary supplements. Rarely do recovery centers or western medicine talk about the importance of these precious amino acids and how they assist the brain on making you feel better.
If you are curious about amino acids and how you may benefit from them and would like to take the amino acid therapy questionnaire, contact me at lgagan@lucky2BeMe.org for more information.
Коментарі