Dopamine Deficiency Symptoms, Causes and Natural Treatments

If you feel like you have low energy, poor motivation and are easily irritated, then you may low levels of the brain neurotransmitter Dopamine.

Dopamine is a mood-regulated chemical that is responsible for controlling our emotional responses, motor movement and senses of reward. Dopamine is also a precursor of other brain chemical, including epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Signs of a dopamine deficiency can include low moods, inability to cope with stress, poor mental clarity and inability to enjoy pleasurable moments. Many who have low levels of this neurotransmitter can feel a lack of ambition, sex drive and focus.

What can you do to correct a dopamine deficiency using dietary interventions and natural supplements? Getting more tyrosine – the precursor for dopamine – in your diet is one way to boost your mood and mental performance.

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Dopamine Deficiency Symptoms

It is estimated that more than 70% of those living in the United States have suboptimal dopamine levels.

Dopamine is used in the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS). It serves functions that affect the brain, heart, kidneys and other organs and tissues.

Because low dopamine availability can affect multiple systems, the signs of lacking dopamine in the brain are diverse. Here are some common symptoms:

• Confusion and/or disorganized thinking;
• Disassociation from pleasurable events;
• Inability to direct attention and focus;
• Physical and/or mental fatigue;
• Changes in body weight;
• Low libido (sex drive);
• Cognitive impairment;
• Learning disabilities;
• Lack of motivation;
• Social withdrawal;
• Shaking/tremors;
• Poor memory;
• Slow thinking;
• Depression;
• Sleepiness;

Those with more severe dopamine deficiencies may develop problems with maintaining coordination. Slowed or delayed movements often result. Problems with balance and clear thinking also become likely.

Excessive dopamine deficiencies are associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

Some people with abnormally low dopamine levels lose their ability to write. Dopamine is required to fuel the cognitive processes necessary for effective communication.

Other people with low dopamine sit rigidly, or in other manners which appear very uncomfortable.

In some cases of prolonged dopamine deficiency, severely disorganized thinking can result. The person may become unable to behave, communicate and function in appropriate ways.

Speech problems may also result; including babbling and/or frequently speaking incoherently. In some cases, the person may substitute sounds in place of certain words within spoken sentences.

Dopamine Deficiency Causes

What causes dopamine deficiencies? Various factors can contribute, but the most common one is improper food choices.

Levels of this chemical also decline as we age or may be depleted by short-term drug use (including taking the ADHD drug Adderall).

Dopamine is a natural chemical produced in the brain in several steps. Dopamine biosynthesis requires certain metabolic precursors and cofactors.

Dopamine synthesis begins with phenylalanine (C9H11NO2) in the liver. Phenylalanine is an amino acid found in certain foods, including meats, chicken, fish and dairy products.

Phenylalanine is first converted to an amino acid called tyrosine (C9H11NO3). Tyrosine is then converted to natural L-DOPA (C9H11NO4). Finally, L-DOPA is converted to dopamine (C8H11NO2).

Some dopamine is used to produce other catecholamine neurotransmitters including norepinephrine and epinephrine. The entire catecholamine synthesis cascade can be viewed as follows:

Phenylalanine to Tyrosine to L-DOPA to Dopamine to Norepinephrine to Epinephrine.

Oxygen, iron and copper are also required for dopamine synthesis. There are also several enzymes required, including phenylalanine carboxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase.

This means that a deficiency in any of the raw materials needed for dopamine biosynthesis can result in impaired levels of this neurotransmitter.

Other causes of dopamine deficiencies include sedentary living (lacking exercise), poor stress management, exposure to toxic substances and genetic predisposition.

Dopamine Deficiency Test

If you feel you may have a dopamine deficiency, then it is best to have your doctor perform a catecholamine level test. This is a simple blood test and be done quickly and painlessly.

Catecholamine tests will let your doctor know about your dopamine levels, as well as your levels of other important neurotransmitters.

Increasing Dopamine Levels Naturally

Some pharmaceutical drugs target dopamine and dopamine receptors to treat various cognitive and psychotic disorders.

Medications for depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease all attempt to alter dopamine concentrations and/or usage to some degree.

It is important to note that very small alterations in dopamine and/or other neurotransmitters can yield significant physiological effects.

Some antipsychotic, antidepressant and other prescription drugs are associated with limited success and various possibilities for serious side effects. Because of this, many people are searching for ways to increase their dopamine levels naturally.

Some of the best foods for increasing dopamine levels are lean cuts of meat, green leafy vegetables, fish, fowl, avocados, bananas, almonds and cherries.

In general, foods that increase dopamine will be rich in amino acids like phenylalanine and tyrosine, low in unhealthy fats, low in carbohydrates and water-rich. These same foods are associated with improving various areas of human health.

If you cannot get enough of these foods in your diet, supplements that contain either phenylalanine or tyrosine can be used.

Extracts from a vining plant called Mucuna pruriens (velvet beans) are also used to increase dopamine production. This plant contain roughly 5% natural L-DOPA (dopamine’s precursor) in its seeds.

Research also shows that getting regular exercise is important for maintaining dopamine levels, especially as we age.

Dopamine deficiencies become more problematic as we age and dopaminergic neurons in the brain can start to die off in increasing numbers.

By choosing a diet that accommodates dopamine biosynthesis and exercising daily, you can help to maintain better brain health and neurotransmitter balance.

Stress management is another important key for avoiding dopamine deficiencies. If you have been diagnosed with any serious medical or psychological disorder, then seek medical advice before attempting to alter your dopamine levels.

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