Raising our Dopamine Levels

According to Dr. Eric Braverman, author of "The Edge Effect" (http://www.pathmed.com/) , Dopamine is one of 4 main neurotransmitters that our bodies produce to help maintain optimal brain function. "Beta brain waves are created in the frontal lobes from neurons that produce the biochemical dopamine, which controls our electrical voltage. Dopamine monitors the metabolism. It works like a natural amphetamine and controls our excitement, about new ideas, and motivation. Dopamine controls bodily functions related to power, including blood pressure, metabolism, and digestion. Dopamine generates the electricity that controls voluntary movement, intelligence, abstract thought, setting goals, long term planning, and personality. The dopamine edge is characterized by its by-product, adrenaline. When we loose our dopamine edge, the physical effects can include addictive disorders, obesity severe fatigue, and Parkinson's disease."

Depending on if we are in physical health or not, our dopamine levels may be out of balance, either on the high or low side. "Producing too much dopamine makes you overly tense, driven, and impulsive. For Example. At the extreme, criminals, especially repeat sexual offenders are often high-dopamine natures with overactive libidos". When our dopamine is on the low side, the symptoms can range from anemia, blood sugar problems and diabetes to kidney disease, thyroid disorders and narcolepsy. Attention deficit disorder, lack of working memory, mood swings and hyperactivity are other symptoms of too little dopamine being produced.

Not only can we produce dopamine, but we need to, and in the proper amount in order function properly. Depak Chopra was speaking to this point in his audio CD "Magical Mind, Magical Body". On that CD, Depak was explaining how the placebo effect worked. What he said basically is that upon being administered a placebo that supposedly would have the effect of boosting the dopamine levels, an individuals belief in actually receiving the treatment would cause the body to respond in kind, creating dopamine of its own...and thus, experiencing the effects of this neurotransmitter in the body.

However, if we have a dopamine deficiency, it can be corrected by using a combination of what Dr. Braverman calls the "seven treatment modalities: medications, hormones, supplements, diet, lifestyle, environment and electrical treatments". In terms of natural remedies, they include nutrients such as DLPA (phenylalanine), tyrosine, methionine, pyridoxine (B6), B complex and phosphatidylserine; as well as Chinese herbs such as the long-used, ancient herb and adaptogen rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) and ginko biloba (Yin Guo Ye Wan), a 5,0000 year old TCM remedy, for increasing blood flow and circulation throughout the body and brain.