What is Dopamine?

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers. Dopamine also helps regulate movement and emotional responses, and it enables us not only to see rewards, but to take action to move toward them. Dopamine deficiency results in Parkinson's Disease, and people with low dopamine activity may be more prone to addiction. The presence of a certain kind of dopamine receptor is also associated with sensation-seeking people, more commonly known as "risk takers."

Recent posts on Dopamine

Happy Bees: Bumblebees Show Dopamine-Based Positive Emotions

By Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on November 03, 2016 in Animal Emotions
After eating a sugary treat, bumblebees displayed optimistic behavior. When dopamine was blocked, data suggest bees experienced a change in mood, not just increased energy.

You've Stopped Using, So Why is Your Brain Still Craving?

By Carolyn C. Ross M.D., M.P.H. on October 28, 2016 in Real Healing
Recovery from addiction is not just about no longer using your "drug of choice." Your brain needs special care during recovery.

The Power of Personality

These are the ways to make a real change to the main facets of extroversion.

"Help Me Stop Thinking About My Ex Girlfriend"

"She’s all fine and dandy, and I struggle with this every day," Jim said after his girlfriend of several years broke up with him. Read on to find out how people like Jim can cope.

You Have Power Over Your Brain Chemistry

Your brain has an operating system inherited from earlier animals. It rewards you with "happy chemicals" when you step toward meeting needs and alarms you with "unhappy chemicals.

The Science of Accomplishing Your Goals

By Ralph Ryback M.D. on October 03, 2016 in The Truisms of Wellness
Simple steps you can take to fight your brain’s natural urge to stick with a routine and accomplish your life goals.

This is Your Child's Brain on Video Games

By Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on September 25, 2016 in Mental Wealth
Playing video games presents an "evolutionary mismatch": A fight-or-flight response unaccompanied by a physical discharge of energy. So guess where all the energy goes?

Study Pinpoints Brain Circuitry of Emotional Decision-Making

By Christopher Bergland on September 20, 2016 in The Athlete's Way
We all know the gut-wrenching feeling of making a tough emotional decision. Recently, MIT neuroscientists pinpointed the brain mechanics behind emotional decision-making.

Tonic Levels of Dopamine Lubricate Moments of Superfluidity

By Christopher Bergland on September 02, 2016 in The Athlete's Way
Next week in Vienna, neuroscientists will meet for the 2016 Dopamine Conference. In this blog post, I reflect on what I've learned about dopamine through both sport and life.

Food Addiction Is Not About Willpower

Food addiction is an obsessiveness with food and with your body.

Commandeering Cuteness for Commercialism

By Douglas Van Praet on August 27, 2016 in Unconscious Branding
There is a good reason why cute and cuddly baby animals are tugging at your heart and pulling on your purse strings.

The Psychological Roots of Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go scratches some basic psychological itches

A New Payoff to Risky Decisions

By Hara Estroff Marano on July 27, 2016 in Brainstorm
Scientists discover how facing risky decisions makes us smarter. Guest post by Shira Polan.

7 Habits of a Happy Brain

You can build new neural pathways by feeding your brain new experiences. Here's how to choose experiences that stimulate each happy chemical.

Enjoy More Happy Brain Chemicals This Summer

These simple steps will help you avoid common drags on your mood so you can make the most out of your summertime fun.

Feeding Your Brain

By Susan McQuillan M.S., RDN on June 15, 2016 in Cravings
Are you addicted to eating? Does food change your mood? It's all in your head!

3 Ways to Feel Better When a Coworker Gets on Your Nerves

When someone gets on your nerves, it’s a real thing. You can recover quickly from co-worker stress if you know these three facts about your brain chemistry.

THE Blog Your Teenager Must Read

As a parent of a teen, you know about the teen risk. Have your teens read this so they understand how their brains are wired and how to avoid their wiring for risk-taking?

5 Ways to Boost Your Mood When You Are Feeling Down

Ups and downs are natural, but you can have more ups when you know how your brain works. You are managing your dopamine and cortisol all the time. You can manage them in new ways!

Is Noise the Key to Artificial General Intelligence?

By Andrew Smart on June 09, 2016 in Machine Psychology
Converging evidence indicates noise plays a fundamental role in the brain.

Cannabis Use Associated With Few Health Problems in Midlife

Cannabis use in midlife is associated with surprisingly few health problems, according to a new study.

Food Addiction Is Really About the Need for Love

Obsessions about food or food addiction can often go along with an obsessive focus on relationships. When one is active, the other is dormant. Emptiness may be the cause of both.

The CODES of a Good Date

By Eva Ritvo M.D. on May 24, 2016 in On Vitality
Learn the C.O.D.E.S of a good date! Cortisol, Oxytocin, Dopamine, Endorphins, and Serotonin.

5 Instant Energy Boosters You May Not Know

Your mental energy can sag in the face of tough challenges. It’s nice to know that your brain can release good feelings while you tackle challenges.

The Selfishness of Altruism

Altruism feels good because it stimulates dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. In our quest for good feelings, we don't always monitor the results of our altruistic gestures.

Music and the Brain's Reward and Bonding Systems

By Rhonda Freeman Ph.D. on April 28, 2016 in NeuroSagacity
If we look at the neurobiology behind our emotional response to Prince, his music, and his death, it seems that there are two primary brain systems responsible.

Heavy Marijuana Use May Reduce Your Brain's Dopamine Release

A new study has identified a correlation between heavy marijuana use and lower levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine controls reward-motivated behaviors and pleasure centers.

What Horses And Genes Are Teaching Us About Addiction

By Denise Cummins Ph.D. on April 08, 2016 in Good Thinking
Three genes have been implicated in addiction to marijuana. Here is how horses can help us understand what that means.

The Science of Love and Attachment

Are you in love or in lust? How can you build a relationship that lasts? What do we do when the excitement goes down? An understanding of brain chemicals can provide answers.