Serotonin and Dopamine Relationship for Happiness + Depression

Serotonin and Dopamine are the two neurotransmitters that often come to mind first when thinking about our moods, feelings of pleasure, and sense of well-being.

Along with Norepinephrine, they are the neurotransmitters that regulate many different bodily functions including emotional response, sensations of pain and pleasure, satiety, sleep, digestion, libido, respiratory rate, and many others.

When we develop imbalances of these important chemical compounds, a variety of adverse health effects and conditions may manifest.

What are the main differences between Serotonin and Dopamine and how do these brain messengers contribute to our feelings of happiness and our moments of sadness and negativity?

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What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is dominantly responsible for regulating our sense of calm.

Feelings of contentment, satisfaction and well-being are generated by this neurotransmitter, prompting relaxation and peace.

From an evolutionary standpoint, Serotonin was used as a way to evaluate resource availability. When resources (like food) are low, Serotonin levels are low and we feel more active, energetic, and anxious about finding new resources.

When resources are widely available, Serotonin is high and we experience a restful state of mind that makes it easier to feel comfortable in our surroundings and fall asleep. Deep restorative sleep allows our body’s repair and maintenance systems to switch on.

This is a key reason why low Serotonin levels are linked to weight gain in the modern human. When this neurotransmitter is deficient or depleted, the brain signals for carbohydrate ingestion. Sweet and starchy foods give off glucose when broken down. This glucose is used to fuel the Serotonin synthesis process.

L-Tryptophan is an amino acid that is an indirect precursor to Serotonin. Tryptophan is found in many high protein foods including red meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, and tofu.

In the body, Tryptophan from food or supplements is broken down in the liver by the chemical reactor agent tryptophan hydroxylase into 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). 5-HTP is a direct precursor to Serotonin that can easily cross over the blood-brain barrier and be converted into Serotonin.

Having the proper amount of Serotonin available is important for other biological and psychological processes. Some of the functions that Serotonin helps to accommodate include:

• Regulation of body temperature;
• Moderation of breath and heart rates;
• Controls moods and emotional states;
• Directly controls peristalsis;
• Dictates hunger signals;
• Controls sexual libido intensity;
• Motivation and physical capacity to lose excess weight.

What is Dopamine?

The pleasure and reward centers of the brain are largely controlled by the neurotransmitter Dopamine. It helps us to initiate physical movement. It regulates the strength and nature of emotions, enabling the ability to implement plans to obtain recognized rewards.

Dopamine also plays a role in executive function which relates our ability to sustain attention, stay alert, and concentrate on mental tasks. Boosting Dopamine levels can help to improve motivation and excitement for life.

Dopamine has gained a lot of notoriety from academia and mainstream society alike. In the past 6 decades, more than 110,000 research papers and numerous clinical studies have been dedicated to understanding its effects.

It remains a source of debate and controversy, even among field-leading scientists. Like Serotonin, Dopamine is a multi-purposed and biochemically intricate compound.

Low levels of Dopamine cause the onset and development of Parkinson’s disease in elderly individuals. There are very few cells that produce Dopamine. Of those that do (dopaminergic neurons), a significant portion are located in the substantia nigra, an area in the midbrain. When a certain percentage of these neurons die or begin to function sub-optimally, a Parkinson’s diagnosis may be the result.

Other dopaminergic neurons exist in the brain’s VTA (ventral tegmental area). These cells are not as well understood as those in the substantia nigra, although they are thought to be responsible for our abilities to learn about rewards.

For instance, with a sudden, unforeseen availability of food, VTA dopamine neurons are activated. Also, many illicit drugs target the release of Dopamine in order to stimulate euphoric sensations.

Serotonin and Dopamine Relationship

Both Serotonin and Dopamine are biogenic amines and they are both metabolized by the same monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme in the brain. This is why MAO-inhibitors have the effect of increasing levels of both of these neurotransmitters.

From a functional standpoint, Serotonin is an inhibitory neurochemical – meaning it makes it more likely that neurons will not fire. Dopamine acts as an excitatory neurochemical – making it more likely that neurons will fire – but it can also have certain inhibitory effects.

The effects of Serotonin and Dopamine have a great deal of interplay. Balancing these two brain chemicals is key to optimal mood and cognitive function.

For example, we know that high Serotonin can help to diminish appetite cravings. Conversely, high Dopamine levels signal a greater desire to eat. This neurotransmitter is the reason why we feel (sometimes very intense) pleasure when consuming foods.

In some studies, drugs that increase Dopamine levels (such as L-Dopa which is a Parkinson’s medication) can lead to greater impulsivity of action. However, if administered with an SSRI (a type of drug that increases serotonergic activity), changes in impulse control will not occur.

This paints a general picture of Serotonin working to balance and offset Dopamine, though the actual pathways and interactions are much more complex.

Ways to Increase Serotonin and Dopamine Naturally

Because of the feel-good effects presented when Serotonin and Dopamine are in adequate supply, there is growing demand for foods and methods that naturally increase these compounds. For individuals suffering from depression or anxiety, there are a number of pharmaceuticals drugs available internationally that may be prescribed to balance Serotonin/Dopamine production.

But due to the possibility of greater side effect and withdrawal risk, many are looking for ways to improve levels without prescription drugs. Some people have found the following methods to be effective:

• Increase your intake of Tryptophan and Tyrosine-rich foods, and other high-protein low-fat foods. Tryptophan is used to synthesize Serotonin while Tyrosine is the natural precursor to Dopamine.
• Ensure proper hydration by drinking plenty of water daily.
• Get adequate amounts of vitamins D, B6 and B12 as all are necessary agents of Serotonin and Dopamine production.
• Consider using natural, non-prescription Serotonin-boosting products like 5-HTP, St. John’s Wort and others.
• Consider taking Tyrosine or Mucuna pruriens supplements to ensure the proper Dopamine precursors are present in the system.
• Exercise every day to help your body naturally balance all neurotransmitters, hormones and other biochemical agents.

When Serotonin and Dopamine are kept at optimum levels, the body and brain are better able to perform many physical and mental functions. Ensuring proper nutrition and adequate physical activity are keys to succeeding at all health-based intentions, including increasing the production of neurotransmitters.

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