What is dopamine?
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter molecule in the central nervous system enabling information flow between cells. Vital for the control and coordination of movement (the loss of dopamine producing cells in one part of the brain leads to Parkinson's disease, the degenerative movement disorder) dopamine also keeps us alert, active and motivated, as well as allowing constructive thinking, concentration and memory formation.
Dopamine is also required for the generation of pleasurable feelings and sexual desire and it has a positive effect on the heart, circulation and metabolic rate, and new research links low levels of dopamine or altered dopamine functioning with:
- anxiety and depression
- cravings and addictions
- fibromyalgia
- obesity
- Restless Legs Syndrome
Dopamine receptors
At least five different dopamine receptors (D1-D5) have been identified across the nervous system and it seems that the density and variety of receptors we each have can vary considerably depending on our genetic tendency and our development in the womb and during childhood.
Dopamine levels and functioning reflect our individual receptor repertoire and are reduced by stress, lack of the right nutrients, ageing and certain medications. Additionally, from mid-life, dopamine levels start declining at a rate of approximately 13% each decade, which accounts for many of the general symptoms of ageing such as fatigue, poor sleep quality, reduced emotional activity, depression, reduced motor activity, loss of muscle tone and cognitive function etc.
In women, low dopamine levels in mid-life exacerbate the physiological and psychological effects of declining oestrogen, producing more severe hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances and mood swings.
For men, the effects of falling testosterone such as; decreasing muscle mass, increasing body fat, reduced physical energy/endurance, gradually decreasing libido, loss of bone density, increasing cholesterol etc are all exacerbated by declining dopamine.
Emotionally, dopamine is required to generate:
· feelings of pleasure
· feelings of attachment and love
· a sense of altruism (unselfish concern for the welfare of others)
· integration of thoughts and feelings
and dopamine depletion is associated with:
· anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
· the inability to feel love and sense attachment to another
· a lack of remorse about actions
· distractibility
The adult brain is formed from our experiences in childhood and it has been shown that early social deprivation or stress can lead to permanent reduction in dopaminergic neurones especially in the prefrontal cortex of the brain where they are usually very dense, affecting the capacity for positive emotionality. An unhappy early relationship between mother and child for example, results in fewer dopamine receptors and a constricted capacity for pleasure and reward in later life.
Depression is directly linked to our experiences in childhood, with sufferers having low levels of dopamine.
Dopamine therefore plays a crucial role in our wellbeing and treatments which improve dopamine functioning within the nervous system will provide welcome relief from various debilitating emotional, mental and physical problems.
The conventional treatment of altered dopamine levels/functioning is with drugs that stimulate dopamine receptors - dopamine agonists. Unfortunately over time, this constant and unnatural high level of stimulation desensitises the receptors making an already bad situation worse, as the amount of natural dopamine being produced in the nervous system is even less effective at the receptor sites.
When this happens, doctors will increase drug dosages. Not only does this create a rapid worsening of the original situation, side effects from the drug are also increased, creating a very bleak future for the patient.
The natural way to improve dopamine levels and functioning
Dopamine is made in the body from the amino acid tyrosine which is derived from the proteins we eat or from the amino acid phenylalanine. Unfortunately, eating more tyrosine-rich foods does not automatically confer higher dopamine levels. However, a proven dietary way to improve dopamine levels and functioning is with phenylethylamine (PEA).
PEA is an endogenous (made in the body) amine with specific neuro-regenerating properties. We produce PEA when we feel happy, joyous and calm. People in love have particularly high levels (hence it has been coined the "love molecule") as do long-distance runners - partly explaining the anti-depressant effect of exercise.
In nature PEA is found in significant concentration in only two foods; raw unprocessed cocoa and the wild blue-green algae, AFA, from Klamath Lake.
PEA directly contributes to raising the level of freely circulating dopamine in the nervous system to improve health and vitality as well as offering a drug-free alternative for people experiencing altered dopamine levels/functioning and its age-related decline.
In contrast to drug therapy, this nutritional approach allows a healthy way to improve dopamine function and all the faculties which depend on it. Although it is difficult to measure the actual increase in dopamine receptor levels, it seems clear that by increasing the level of PEA, the molecule with proven neuroregenerating properties, the brain and nervous system has an opportunity to recover vital connections unlike drug therapy.
The following food supplements contain high levels of PEA and have been formulated with raw, natural ingredients, which support its action. They are suitable for children and adults:
vitalMAX - capsules of AFA potentiated with a concentrated extract of PEA/Phycocyanin and Vegimineral 77: a powerful tonic for body and mind (£23.99 for 60capsules)
WILDBARS - superfood bars with a very high concentration of PEA/Phycocyanin made with organic raw foods; AFA, raw Cocoa, Agave syrup, Macadamia nuts, Mesquite, Hemp seed, Maca and natural flavours (£2.99 per 45g bar)
vitalCALM - capsules delivering a very high concentration of PEA/Phycocyanin from AFA and supported by Grape extract, Anise seed, Ginger root and organic minerals (47.99 for 120 capsules)
