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The first thing to know about dopamine supplements is that they don’t actually contain dopamine but, rather, other ingredients to help your body increase this naturally occurring brain chemical…What you need to know.
Products marketed as “dopamine” supplements do not actually contain this chemical which is produced naturally within the brain to improve mood.
Dopamine supplement products contain a variety of ingredients that may help your body increase its production of dopamine and the levels within your brain.
Ingredients found in dopamine supplements may include vitamins, minerals, herbal powders, and food extracts.
What’s important for you to know is that, besides dopamine supplements, there are specific foods that can help lift your mood and may even be a healthy alternative to dopamine supplements.
Inside the brain, dopamine functions as a chemical messenger, a neurotransmitter that carries information between brain cells.
Dopamine helps us feel good because of the way it interacts with our pleasure and reward centers in the brain. A deficiency of dopamine has been connected to depression in some cases.
Additionally, dopamine plays a role in attention, cognition, and motor functions.
Here is a list of the most common ingredients regularly found in dopamine supplements:
Vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, L-theanine, fish oil, tyrosine, Curcumin/turmeric, mucuna, carvacrol, saffron extract, probiotics.
Keep in mind that, unlike prescription drugs, supplements aren’t scrutinized by the FDA. That means that ingredients listed on the label may not be accurate, and in some cases, may not even be contained in the supplement, US News reports.
You may want to discuss dopamine supplements with their healthcare provider before beginning a supplement routine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about any potential side effects or interactions with any medications you currently take.
In addition to taking dopamine supplements, consuming the right foods can also help your body with its dopamine production. Further, food alone can be an alternative to taking dopamine supplements.
Magnesium-rich foods: Avocado, almonds, black beans, quinoa.
Vitamin D-rich foods: Salmon, egg yolks, mushrooms.
Vitamin C-rich foods: Citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, red bell pepper.
Omega-3-rich foods: Salmon, walnuts, Chia seeds.
Tyrosine-rich foods: Cheese, dairy, soy products, meats, fish, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils.
Other helpful foods: Turmeric, oregano, green tea, fermented foods (plain yogurt, kimchi), saffron.
Besides supplements, there are a number of healthy habits you can undertake that may help with boosting chemicals in the brain related to mood enhancement.
Go outdoors: Exposure to sunlight will increase vitamin D in the body.
Sleep: Getting quality sleep helps keep dopamine levels balanced.
Exercise: According to studies, cardio exercise may have a positive effect on dopamine receptors in the brain.
Meditation: One study in Denmark found meditation increases dopamine levels by 65%.
