Dopamine, also known as the pleasure chemical, is present in the brain. It is the reason behind your motivation, mood, and attention and regulates your memory. Not only this, but it also helps in the brain's decision-making process and regulating sleep. The body's nervous system usually manages the dopamine levels effectively. However, some changes in our lifestyle can cause dopamine levels to drop. Low dopamine levels lead to loss of pleasure in things that were once your favorite and a lack of motivation in life. Here are some dopamine supplements that can boost your mood.
1. Probiotics
Probiotics are good gut bacteria that line the digestive tract. Also, they help in the proper functioning of the body. Probiotics can improve gut health, treat health problems and even aid mood disorders.
Studies show that harmful gut bacteria can decrease dopamine production. Moreover, good gut bacteria can increase dopamine, which boosts mood. In research, the result revealed that probiotic supplements could reduce depressive symptoms when compared to placebo. You can easily add probiotics to your meals to avail of its benefits.
2. Mucuna Pruriens
It is a tropical bean often available in powdered form and comes as a dietary supplement. Amino acid or L-dopa is the most substantial compound found in mucuna pruriens. L-dopa is necessary for your brain to generate dopamine. Research demonstrates that this ingredient can boost dopamine levels in the body.
It can also help people with Parkinson's disease, which affects movement due to a lack of dopamine. A study on mice reveals that it had an antidepressant effect on them as mucuna pruriens increase dopamine production.
3. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is a native plant of China, and its use in medicine has prevailed for hundreds of years. It helps in enhancing mental and brain functions as well as improving mood. A few studies show that this ingredient increased dopamine levels in rats, leading to improved cognitive function and memory. Also, Ginkgo Biloba can reduce oxidative stress to increase dopamine production in the body. The results from the test tube studies and animal research show promising effects. However, more research is necessary to see how it will affect humans.
4. Curcumin
Curcumin is the integral compound of turmeric and has a wide array of health benefits. It comes in capsule, tea, powdered, and extract forms. Since it boosts dopamine release in the body, it can have antidepressant effects. A small study reveals that 1 mg of curcumin daily shows similar effects as Prozac for depressive disorder. Another study showed that curcumin increased dopamine levels in mice. Curcumin has several benefits for the body and is a great ingredient. More research is necessary to understand how curcumin works in the body.
5. Oregano Oil
Carvacrol is the main ingredient of oregano oil. It imparts many health benefits because of its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. A study on the move reveals that carvacrol can promote dopamine in them and considerably reduce depressant effects. Another study involving oregano oil suggested that the ingredient incited positive behavioral effects and deterred the decreasing dopamine levels. While there were positive results from the research done on animals, human research lacks support for these theories. However, oregano oil has a high scope of increasing dopamine levels.
6. Magnesium
Magnesium is a vital compound for the functioning of your brain and body. Magnesium deficiency can lead to decreased dopamine levels, increasing the risk of depression. Again, a study stated that magnesium increased dopamine levels in mice. It is also available in the form of supplements. You can even add it to your meals to combat its deficiency in the body.
7. Green Tea
Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine that links directly to your brain. It is already known for its antioxidant properties as well as nutritional value. Green tea can enhance cognitive function, and increase dopamine production, thereby reducing depressant effects. Studies show that regular consumption of green tea extract as a beverage can increase dopamine levels incredibly.
8. Vitamin D
We all are aware of how vital vitamin D is for our bodies. It is also responsible for the regulation of some neurotransmitters like dopamine. Studies illustrated that vitamin D deficiency in mice led to decreased dopamine levels. Giving them vitamin D3 supplements increases the production of dopamine.
9. Fish Oil
Many studies show that fish oil supplements can have antidepressant effects when consumed regularly. They link directly to mental health and enhance mood. Moreover, a rat study revealed that fish oil increased dopamine levels in the frontal cortex by 40%.
10. Caffeine
Caffeine is famous for boosting cognitive performance and increasing the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine. It improves brain function as it enhances brain receptor levels. Keep in mind that the body can learn to process high levels of caffeine and build a tolerance for it.
11. Ginseng
Ginseng has been a traditional Chinese medicine since historical times. From brain skills, memory, and behavior to mood, ginseng can improve them all. Several animal and test-tube studies show that these benefits occur because of ginseng's ability to increase dopamine levels in the body.
12. Berberine
It is an active ingredient in several plants and herbs. It recently became popular due to its rare health benefits. Moreover, Berberine may fight depression and anxiety and increase dopamine levels. However, there is still no research that supports its effects on humans. Berberine is a part of ancient Chinese medicine.
Final Words
Under normal conditions, dopamine levels get regulated by the body. With poor lifestyle choices and medical conditions, the dopamine levels in the body may drop, leading to depressive symptoms. The ingredients mentioned above may help you increase the dopamine production in the body and get it back on track.
