ELI5: dopamine
// explanation
What is dopamine?
Dopamine is a special chemical messenger in your brain that helps different parts of your brain talk to each other [1][2]. Think of it like a delivery person who carries important messages between buildings in your brain [2].
Why does it matter?
Dopamine is famous for making you feel happy and rewarded when you do something fun, like eating your favorite food or playing with friends [1][5]. It also helps your body move, remember things, and feel motivated to do activities [1].
What happens when dopamine isn't working right?
When your brain doesn't make enough dopamine, you might feel sad, unmotivated, or have trouble moving your body smoothly [1][3]. Too much or too little dopamine can cause problems with your mood and how your body works [3].
How do doctors help?
Doctors can give medicines that help your brain make more dopamine or use it better if something is wrong [3].
// sources
Mar 23, 2022 ... Dopamine is a neurotransmitter made in your brain. It's known as the “feel-good” hormone, but it's also involved in movement, memory, ...
In the brain, dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter—a chemical released by neurons (nerve cells) to send signals to other nerve cells. The brain includes ...
Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain. Learn about its role in mental illness, addiction and Parkinson's disease, and medicines for imbalances.
Dopamine (DA) plays a vital role in reward and movement regulation in the brain. In the reward pathway, the production of DA takes place in the ventral ...
Dopamine is most notably involved in helping us feel pleasure as part of the brain's reward system. Sex, shopping, smelling cookies baking in the oven — all ...
Video by Huberman Lab Clips
Video by Ali Abdaal
Video by The House of Wellness
