Re: Low Dopamine / Reward System

Hey Hv, Im wondering if you can burn yourself out of the neurotransmitter Dopamine through excessive use of the reward system.

I have never heard of it actually burning out the receptors or reducing dopamine other than with specific drugs like cocaine.  Cocaine in particular not only releases dopamine, but it also blocks the reuptake pumps.  This keep the dopamine in the synapse longer leading to oxidation of the dopamine.  Since the body produces dopamine so slowly chronic use of the drug can lead to depletion of dopamine as the dopamine gets oxidized faster than it can be produced.  This is what leads to the deep depression from chronic use of cocaine. Theoretically, other drugs such as methamphetamine could also keep dopamine in the synapse long enough to be oxidized leading to depletion.  

I.e eating fast food/high calorie, sex/orgasm, drugs, alcohol, even cigarettes increase dopamine don't they?

High carbohydrates in fast foods will actually raise serotonin if in the absence of protein.  Alcohol actually increases GABA levels in the brain, which acts as a neurotransmitter inhibitor.  The others can raise dopamine, but again unless the dopamine is kept in the synapse long enough it is not destroyed.  It would just be reabsorbed by reuptake pumps.

I always viewed these things as a reward and thus abused them in the past. Aswell as strong stimulants which work on dopamine in the past.

If this was all in the past then the body should have resumed its production.

I know you recommend tyrosine from past posts, ive heard there are side effects from consuming tyrosine, something to do with permanent heart damage or something but i suspect this is not true as you wouldn't recommend. Even 500mg makes me abit panicky i find, is this due to the increased adrenaline production?

Tyrosine can cause problems in very rare cases in people with sensitivities.  But that can be said for virtually any substance including any foods since people can be allergic to most anything.

Tyrosine is a precursor for epinephrine (adrenaline), so this could be your problem.  You can take it with some glycine to help counter the epinephrine effects.

Obviously i dont take drugs, alcohol or cigarettes these days so will prolonged ceasation of some of the above and the required nutrients be enough to increase levels of dopamine.