Understanding Depression
Understanding brain chemistry and depression is a highly complex matter. In fact, there are few things more complex than the wiring of our own brains. They are awash with different chemical neurotransmitters that are responsible for passing messages from one neuron to the next. They are also hugely influential on our mood, memory & general state of mind. Most of us are familiar with serotonin- this is the feel-good neurotransmitter allowing us to feel happiness. Drugs such as Prozac work at increasing serotonin. Other neurotransmitters are just as important; especially the focus of today’s article, dopamine.
Dopamine is typically thought of as controlling the pleasure & reward centres of our brain. It gives the brain energy and makes us feel switched on & motivated. When dopamine is high, we feel pleasure and actively seek out pleasurable activities. The drug high from cocaine & ice comes from the huge amounts of dopamine released in the brain.
Conversely, a dopamine deficiency is characterised by:
A reduced ability to feel pleasure
Feeling flat & unmotivated
Procrastination
Mental & physical tiredness; can never get enough sleep
Addictive personality
Low libido
Poor concentration & memory
Many dopamine-deficient people will go for caffeine, sugar, video games, sex or drugs to boost their levels & provide a surge of energy. A person with a serotonin-based depression is dark, anxious & irritable; a dopamine depressed person is lethargic and totally lacking energy.
Boosting Dopamine
Dopamine diet: eating tyrosine-rich foods can help boost dopamine. The best sources of tyrosine include chicken, cottage cheese, walnuts, turmeric, oats, avocado, banana, green tea & coffee.
Supplements: tyrosine, phenylalanine & Vitamin B6 all help produce dopamine. Dopamine is stimulating, so use these in the mornings only.
Herbal medicine: Rhodiola & green tea support brain function & nervous system activity.
Exercise: vigorous, aerobic exercise boosts all our feel-good chemicals.
Do things you love. Dopamine gives us pleasure; we need to actively seek this out in healthy ways: gardening, cooking an exotic dish, using beautiful oils on our body, painting, etc.