How To Increase Dopamine: 10 Easy Ways Backed by Science?

Dopamine is a chemical that is naturally produced by the body. Dopamine is essential for relieving stress and anxiety in the body. It can act as a hormone as well as a neurotransmitter. This hormone is a chemical pleasure and chemical messenger between different body cells. Unfortunately, sometimes the dopamine levels are so low that the person can suffer from depression.  So, people usually search for How to increase dopamine? Thus, we have compiled a list of different things like diet, exercise, and supplements that can increase dopamine in humans. 

How To Increase Dopamine?

10 Methods to increase Dopamine -

Dopamine can also provide negative satisfaction or pleasure in activities that are harmful to the body, like drinking too much alcohol or the habit of taking recreational drugs. Thus, taking all the supplements that increase dopamine regularly is advised. Following is a list of ways to increase dopamine fast.

#1. Probiotics for increased dopamine-

Probiotics can also increase the levels of dopamine in the body as probiotics can increase dopamine. Certain strains of bacteria, like lactobacillus rhamnosus, are taken up from the gut in the frontal cortex. An optimal biotic supplement can support the levels of dopamine and mental health. 

#2. Different supplements that can increase the levels of dopamine in the body-

Tyrosine is a natural amino acid. The tyrosine supplement is a dopamine precursor; hence, dopamine can be made from this supplement. Along with tyrosine, L-theanine can also act as a precursor for forming dopamine. Other supplements that can increase dopamine production are Vitamin D, B5, and B6. Omega - 3 fatty acids and magnesium are also required to form dopamine.

#3. Intranasal insulin can naturally increase dopamine in the brain-

Intranasal insulin is a hormone that can affect brain functioning and acts as an insulin receptor within the brain. Due to the increased stress levels today, people have developed insulin resistance, which can hamper dopamine production. Intranasal insulin passes the blood and brain barrier and reaches the brain, where-in it helps produce nasal sprays.

#4. Ear Acupuncture -

Acupuncture is another treatment that can help increase dopamine levels in the brain. Other benefits can also be the release of dopamine continuously in the brain. One of the methods is auricular or ear acupuncture. So, One can opt for ear acupuncture, which is better than regular acupuncture.  Also Read: Acupressure & Acupuncture

#5. Meditation can help increase dopamine by 65% -

Meditation is one activity that provides a lot of relaxation and can be linked to an increase in dopamine production. While checking the imaging in the brain, it is found that dopamine is increased by 65% in the body by regularly practicing meditation. 

#6. Coffee is excellent for dopamine -

Though coffee is not discussed in increasing dopamine levels in the body, caffeine can increase dopamine levels, and studies have found that dopamine can signal and increase dopamine receptors. You can drink one cup of coffee every morning or take caffeine without a meal. Consuming coffee can improve cognitive functions as well.

#7. Exercise-

We are all aware that exercise releases dopamine in the body. Thus, one way to keep stress at bay is by performing regular exercises that can help increase dopamine production. And the added perk is that you will stay fit, and your mood will also be elevated. Exercising can increase dopamine by 70-73%.

#8. Sunlight and Vitamin D-

Sunlight is one of the best ways of increasing dopamine in the body. Expose yourself to the first rays of the sunlight as it increases dopamine production by 5-6%. This point will help regulate your sleep cycle as well. This habit also helps increase vitamin - D secreted in the sunlight. It will be better to get some sunlight than taking up vitamin supplements. Also Read: 10 Best Vitamins & Supplements to balance hormones

#9. Ginkgo Biloba-

Ginkgo Biloba is a prevalent plant that can treat several health problems. It is a general health problem and can improve brain functioning by increasing dopamine. This herb has been used for thousands of years to treat several health problems and can also enhance people's mood and mental health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. 

#10. Omega - 3 Fatty acids-

Omega three fatty acids are essential for brain fats and can be the most significant step in promoting the optimal growth of the brain and boosting dopamine levels. In one study, there has been an increase in the ranks of dopamine in the brain of the animals that omega -3 fatty acids are present in the body and increase dopamine by 40%. Food items that contain omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, cold fish and sablefish, sardines, and herrings.  

FAQs - 

Summing it up-

Though dopamine levels can drop due to many stresses in the everyday lives of individuals. There are simple and effective ways of increasing dopamine with medication and exercises. But if you are dealing with conditions like depression, your dopamine levels are deficient. So taking dopamine supplements and getting a practitioner to help you deal with low dopamine levels will be best. Though we have done our best to determine the best ways of increasing the dopamine level, you can always consult the best neurologist in Ghaziabad, if you have doubts.