Role of Dopamine in the Brain for Depression, Focus & More

The role of dopamine in the brain is multifaceted, linked to mood, executive function, goal-oriented behaviour and much more. Using dopamine-boosting supplements may have nootropic benefits as well as addressing depression, anxiety and stress.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter used to accommodate signaling between neurons which control sleep, libido, memory, learning, movement, orgasm, addiction and more.

Of the brain’s roughly 100 billion nerve cells, only about 25,000 are dopaminergic. This small number of dopamine neurons is divided primarily amongst four major pathways: nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, tuberoinfundibular and mesocortical.

Natural dopamine is biosynthesized in two deep-brain areas: the substantia nigra and the VTA (ventral tegmental area).

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Role of Dopamine in the Brain’s Substantia Nigra

The substantia nigra is a secondary structure of the basal ganglia. Dopamine travels from the substantia nigra to the basal ganglia via the nigrostriatal tract.

Neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway modulate much of the body’s motor control. When dopamine levels are deficient in this area, movements may become slowed and ungraceful. If too much dopamine is present, movements may become involuntary and quirky.

The basal ganglia is made up of various interlinked subcortical nuclei which comprise one of the brain’s three fundamental processing units. It is located at the base of the forebrain in vertebrates. These connected nuclei project to the thalamus, brainstem and cerebral cortex.

Some of the functions modulated by the basal ganglia include:

• Direction of movement;
• Speed of movement;
• Habitual behaviors;
• Motor refinement;
• Motor planning;
• Motor editing;
• Eye motion;
• Cognition;
• Emotion;

Dopamine, Movement and Mental Function

The basal ganglia is currently being explored for its roles in action selection. More specifically, it is believed to be utilized, in part, to determine the best of several courses of action at any given time.

Most scientists believe the primary role of the basal ganglia is to control premotor and motor activities. In doing so, voluntary movements are completed with more grace and fluency.

Parkinson’s disease results due to the death of dopaminergic neurons in this pathway. Symptoms include tremors, inability to control motor movements, inability to move intentionally, stiffness and pain.

When natural dopamine is prevented from binding to its receptors, excessive dopamine concentrations may develop.

Some medications for schizophrenia, ADHD, ADD, bipolar disorder and various other psychiatric and cognitive-based conditions work by inducing slight alterations in dopamine reuptake.

Role of Dopamine in the Brain’s Ventral Tegmental Area

The VTA is a group of neurons located in the center of the midbrain; proximal and adjacent to the substantia nigra. The mesolimbic tract travels from the VTA to the limbic system.

The limbic system is comprised of the medial frontal cortex and the hippocampus. It modulates emotions, pleasure and reward. This pathway is thought to be responsible for modulating psychosis and addiction.

Another role of dopamine in the brain occurs along the mesocortical pathway. This tract originates in the VTA and proceeds to the dorsolateral frontal cortex.

It is associated with motivation, prioritization, planning and responsibility functions. It also modulates some aspects of emotional response. When dopamine is low in this pathway, depression and/or lacking attention may develop.

Role of Dopamine in the Brain’s Hypothalamus and Pituitary

Another role of dopamine in the brain is activated in the tuberoinfundibular tract. This dopamine pathway runs between the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus.

The most notable of its functions is to inhibit the release of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that modulates lactation. When dopamine is blocked, prolactin levels increase.

Of all the roles of dopamine in the brain, those that occur in the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways are of most interest to psychiatrists.

These pathways determine a lot about how we behave, what motivates and the ways we represent ourselves in life.

Low Dopamine Symptoms

Dopamine and dopamine receptor levels can be depleted by various substances and actions. Poor food choices, lacking physical activity, ineffective management of stress, environmental pollutants, illicit and pharmaceutical drugs and free radicals all diminish brain dopamine levels.

Research suggests that more than 75% of people in the US have suboptimal dopamine levels.

When dopamine is deficient, a number of adverse effects can onset. Low dopamine symptoms include depression, irritability, mood swings, mental fatigue, physical fatigue, low sex drive, lacking creativity, lacking motivation, poor outlook and/or suicidal thoughts and actions.

Naturally Increasing Dopamine Levels

One of the best ways to naturally increase dopamine levels in the brain is to base the diet on foods which encourage and accommodate dopamine biosynthesis.

Tyrosine is the amino acid which is the precursor of L-DOPA. In turn, L-DOPA is the direct precursor of dopamine – and other catecholamines, like norepinephrine and epinephrine.

Tyrosine-rich foods include lean meats, fish, turkey, eggs, cheese, avocados, bananas, kale, spinach, chickpeas, black beans, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, collard greens, almonds, peanuts, cherries, sunflower seeds and various others.

A good dopamine diet includes foods which are high in protein, low in carbohydrates and low in unhealthy fats.

Many people also enhance the roles of dopamine in the brain by taking a tyrosine supplement. Mucuna pruriens plants (velvet beans) are also used to raise dopamine naturally as they contain about 5% natural L-DOPA.

Taking a multivitamin and multimineral will also help to ensure the availability of necessary micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. These are needed as cofactors in the chemical conversion processes which biosynthesize dopamine in the brain.

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