What is dopamine?
Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain, called a neurotransmitter. It plays key roles in motivation, reward, learning, movement and attention.
Dopamine is often called the feel-good chemical, but its main role is motivation. It is released when we expect a reward, such as tasty food, praise or success, encouraging us to seek out those experiences again. It helps the brain learn which actions lead to good outcomes.
Dopamine also helps control movement. In Parkinson's disease, the brain cells that make dopamine in an area called the substantia nigra gradually die, causing tremors, stiffness and slow movement. Treatments often aim to replace or mimic dopamine.
Dopamine and habits
Many addictive drugs, as well as features of social media and video games, trigger dopamine release, which can encourage repeated use. Differences in dopamine signaling are also linked to conditions like ADHD and schizophrenia. Exercise, sleep and achieving goals support healthy dopamine levels.
Did You Know?
Dopamine is made from the amino acid tyrosine, found in foods like cheese, meat, fish, soy and nuts.
This answer is general information, not medical advice. For a personal health question, talk to a doctor.