Have you experienced that feeling that comes after a long run or just after a good night’s sleep? Strangely, most of us are unaware of the key component that causes that feel-good feeling, and that’s dopamine. It acts as a chemical messenger in the brain. It is associated with many processes which include, motivation, memory, reward, attention and even regulating body movements.
Whenever a large amount of dopamine is released, it creates feelings of pleasure and reward. In contrast, if the dopamine levels are low, then it results in decreased enthusiasm and reduced motivation. Low dopamine levels can also lead to medical conditions like depression, addiction, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.
Our body produces dopamine naturally, and it is well regulated within the nervous system. But there are ways in which you can trigger the dopamine levels naturally. The following are some of the most effective ways to increase dopamine production.
- Taking CBD products
CBD products, especially CBD oil, have several calming effects on the body and are an effective pain relief measure. CBD doesn’t have a direct influence on dopamine levels in the body. But it interacts with several receptors that are sensitive to many drugs and neurotransmitters. CBD raises the levels of anandamide in the brain. This is one of the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the body. Anandamide helps in the regulation of other chemicals in the brain, which include dopamine and serotonin. Through this effect, it helps to increase the level of dopamine in the body. - Eating High Levels of Protein
For maintaining a healthy lifestyle, one has to eat a healthy diet as it benefits our body and mind. Now, having a delicious and healthy meal can affect your dopamine levels. A protein-rich diet has amino acids, and overall, there are 23 different amino acids. Out of them, an amino acid called tyrosine plays an important role in producing dopamine in our body. Tyrosine is present in food items such as eggs, fish, almonds and chicken. Furthermore, you can also boost your dopamine level by consuming probiotics such as yogurt and kefir. Drinking coffee can also boost your dopamine level, but it can cause caffeine addiction. - Regular Exercise
In the very beginning, we discussed runner’s high and how it boosts our dopamine level. But it is not just limited to running, exercise of any sort, whether it’s strength training or cardio training can help boost dopamine levels. However, some research needs to be conducted to understand the exact mechanism of the brain producing dopamine while exercising. But the feeling you get after an intense workout is self-explanatory. Frequent aerobic exercise benefits people with Parkinson’s disease as low levels of dopamine can disrupt the brain’s ability to control bodily movements. - Getting Enough Sleep
Dopamine is responsible for creating the feeling of alertness and wakefulness. Several studies have concluded that dopamine is released in large amounts in the morning. Subsequently, dopamine levels drop naturally during the evening, just before sleep time. Now, when you are not sleeping well, this natural rhythm gets disrupted. As an adult, one must have at least 7-9 hours of sleep, and anything below that can affect your productivity. When you don’t get enough sleep, dopamine receptors in your body can be adversely affected. Research has linked sleep deprivation to the suppression of some dopamine receptors in your body. - Meditating
By practicing meditation daily, one can clear their mind, and it can help to focus inward and let your thoughts fly without any judgment or attachment. Generally, meditation is performed in a sitting position, but if you can also perform it while standing or even walking. To ripe the benefits of meditation, you need to perform it regularly. As it positively impacts your physical and mental health, new research has found that it also increases dopamine levels in the brain. It’s unclear whether this dopamine boost happens only with inexperienced meditators or can be attained by a beginner as well. - Spending Time in The Sunlight
There is something called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition wherein people feel depressed during winters as they are unable to get enough sunlight. It’s a known fact that when a person experiences periods of low sunshine exposure, it can reduce the levels of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, including dopamine. Although sun exposure may boost dopamine levels, one must not forget the harmful effects of overexposure.
Now that you’ve learned the importance of dopamine and how it affects your mood and feelings throughout the day, you should try to keep its level high. With minor diet and lifestyle changes as mentioned above, you can maintain good dopamine levels.
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