Low dopamine levels can lead to lack of motivation, fatigue, addictive behavior, mood swings and memory loss. Learn how to increase dopamine naturally. dopamine provides motivation What you’ll learn about increasing dopamine in this article: What dopamine is and why it’s so important The effect of dopamine on your brain and the symptoms of a dopamine deficiency Unhealthy ways to increase your dopamine level (though many of us do these!) How to increase dopamine with food, supplements and lifestyle changes How to harness your brain’s reward system to increase your level of dopamine Dopamine is a major neurotransmitter that’s a key factor in motivation, productivity, and focus. Dopamine provides your zest for life. Unfortunately, lifestyle habits, diet, and illness can deplete dopamine levels, draining the joy out of life. If you feel that you aren’t living your life to its fullest, a low dopamine level may be the reason. Fortunately, there are many ways you can increase dopamine naturally. What Is Dopamine? There are about 86 billion neurons in the human brain. They communicate with each other via brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Dopamine is one of the most extensively studied neurotransmitters because it is linked to so many aspects of human behavior including motivation, pleasure seeking, and addictions. It plays important roles in attention, memory, mood, learning, sleep, movement, and anticipatory pleasure. Dopamine dysfunction is the cause of a handful of diseases, most notably Parkinson’s disease which is caused by the death of dopamine-producing cells. Relatively few neurons create dopamine and those that do are found in a just few areas of the brain. Dopamine is also used by a few systems outside the central nervous system such as the kidneys, pancreas, and immune cells. This dopamine is created locally since it does not freely move across the brain’s protective blood-brain barrier. Dopamine is associated with traits that seem uniquely human, yet it is widespread in the animal kingdom and occurs in some plants.

Dopamine is the brain’s feel good chemical, sending feelings of well-being and pleasure into your body. In addition to simply making you feel good, dopamine helps control weight, energy levels, and supports brain and heart health. Without it, we would be more fat, unhappy, and tired. But if you know how to increase dopamine levels, you can take advantage of this feel good chemical on command. The best part? You can increase dopamine levels just by eating certain foods. Fat, unhappy, and tired—those words seem to fit many Americans quite well. Fortunately, boosting dopamine production levels could help. The right amount of dopamine could lift you from depression, help you lose weight, and put some life back into your life. How to Increase Dopamine Levels Through Foods and Activity But, how can you boost dopamine levels naturally? Since dopamine is synthesized from tyrosine, you can simply consume foods rich in tyrosine to boost dopamine production. Certain foods help balance dopamine levels, including: Fish – Evidence suggest Omega 3 fats may be linked to dopamine production Eggs – Contains tyrosine Spirulina – Contains tyrosine Red beets – Contain betaine, acting as an antidepressant, and tyrosine Apples – Contain quercetin, to prevent neurodegeneration and boost dopamine Kale – Rich in folate, to trigger dopamine production Oregano Oil – Has promising effects on mood swings and cravings by increasing dopamine levels Bananas – Including the amino acid tyrosine, which boosts dopamine Strawberries and blueberries – Include tyrosine, like bananas Green tea – Contains polyphenols, good for brain and heart function, as well as dopamine production Herbs like ginkgo biloba, nettles, dandelion, and ginseng Another solution for how to increase dopamine levels and flood your brain with this feel-good chemical is exercise. When you exercise, the cells in your brain (and the rest of your body) start firing, becoming more energized. You also produce more serotonin and dopamine—both crucial in mood elevation. Some credit these chemicals with what’s known as the “runner’s high”, common in endurance athletes. But we do know they make you feel good, and a sense of wellbeing and happiness can increase your physical health in turn. Alternatively, you could also take supplements to boost dopamine, although foods and exercise may be the two best and most beneficial options. Some of the supplements options to increase dopamine levels are: Ginkgo Biloba – Ginkgo can increase dopamine while enhancing oxygen flow and blood flow to the brain – promoting healthy transmission of nerve impulses. Phenylalnine – This essential amino acid can convert in the body to tyrosine, which is sued to synthesize dopamine. Tyrosine – What people often want in food to boost dopamine, tyrosine can also be taken as a supplement. Tyrosine is converted from phenylalnine. What you put in your body and how you use your body determines how you feel. While a medical doctor would be quick to prescribe an anti-depressant if he felt you had a depression chemical imbalance (which some experts say doesn’t exist) like dopamine deficiency, that prescription would likely be completely unnecessary. Instead, through a healthy, whole foods diet and regular exercise, you can boost your mood and attain overall wellness. Additional Sources: RaySahelian Medhelp Reuniting NaturalNews PsychologyToday Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/how-to-increase-dopamine-levels-foods/#ixzz517v5p6ql Follow us: @naturalsociety on Twitter | NaturalSociety on Facebook