What's Dopamine And How Can You Boost It?

You know that feeling that surges through your body after you see your favourite band live, or finally hit that goal you've been working towards for months...? Meet dopamine. It's time you guys properly got introduced so you can keep leveling up.

So, what exactly is dopamine?

When we talk about dopamine, words like "pleasure", "motivation", and "reward" come up.

Basically, it's a chemical messenger that communicates between brain cells, or neurons and is released in response to certain stimuli, such as achieving a goal, exercising, or eating a slice of your favourite cake.

When we feel that rush, our body motivates us to repeat the behaviors that led to the release of dopamine. We wanna smash out more goals, keep exercising or buy a slice next time we pass that cafe. Why? Because we feel pleasure! We feel reward! We feel bloody good!

What happens when we don't have enough?

Low dopamine levels have been associated with depression, anxiety, and low motivation. Luckily, there are several ways to boost dopamine levels naturally.

Exercise

One of the most effective ways to boost dopamine levels is through getting physical. Exercise has been shown to increase dopamine release in the brain, leading to feelings of pleasure and motivation. Even a short 20-minute workout can have a positive impact on dopamine levels.

If you wanna get into a habit of exercise, joining a social sports team could be the way to go - not to mention, every time you win, that dopamine will be soarin'. 😉

Setting and achieving goals

When we set and achieve goals, our brain releases dopamine as a reward for our accomplishments. This could be as simple as finishing a homework assignment or just cleaning our room.

Eating foods rich in tyrosine

This amino acid can also boost dopamine levels. Foods such as almonds, bananas, eggs, and avocados are all good sources of tyrosine.

Engaging in activities that you love

Listening to music, spending time with friends and family, and engaging in things you love to do, like playing the drums, reading or mucking around with your doggo... these are all things that'll boost your good ol' dopamine levels.

So go ahead and get moving, set some goals, and indulge in your fave activities to boost your dopamine levels and improve your mood.