Dopamine is a neurotransmitter : a substance that, in the nerve synapse, is responsible for transmitting impulses. Synapse , for its part, is the name given to the connection established by two neurons.
Derived from an amino acid called dopa (which, in turn, comes from tyrosine ), dopamine acts in the basal ganglia located at the base of the brain. Its chemical formula is C6H3(OH)2-CH2-CH2-NH2, while its abbreviation is DA.
The functions that dopamine performs in the brain are numerous. Cognition, sleep, motivation, attention , mood, and motor activity depend, in part, on the presence and functioning of this neurotransmitter.
It is important to know that dopamine is released when we have sex, when we exercise, or when we eat a delicious product.
Some curious facts about the functions or influences of dopamine are the following:
-Different studies carried out have indicated that dopamine greatly influences the personality of an individual. And it can determine if he is braver or less, more or less shy...
-Memory is greatly influenced by dopamine as it indicates whether information that has been retained should remain for a time or should disappear.
-People who are more motivated have more dopamine in their body.
-It is established that people who are overweight or prone to obesity have fewer dopamine receptors in what is their nervous system.
-Several studies carried out in recent years have made it clear that people who have great creativity are people who have a lower density of dopamine receptors in the thalamus.
-People who, when they are adolescents, enjoy living experiences and activities related to risk are because they have more dopamine in certain areas of their brain.
Dopamine biosynthesis takes place in the brain and adrenal glands. Those neurons that have dopamine as their primary neurotransmitter are known as dopaminergic neurons .
When deficient dopamine biosynthesis occurs in dopaminergic neurons, a person may suffer from Parkinson's disease . This disorder causes muscle rigidity, tremors and slow development of movements. A dopamine precursor called levodopa is often given to treat Parkinson's disease.
It should be noted that a very high level of dopamine in the body is often linked to mental problems such as schizophrenia and psychosis . This is because drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines increase the level of dopamine and cause psychotic symptoms. On the contrary, phenothiazines block dopamine receptors and help minimize these types of symptoms.
It is considered that there are a series of foods that are rich in dopamine and that are worth taking into account. In this case, we are referring, for example, to bananas, legumes, green beans and even tomatoes.