Dopamine: 7 essential functions of this neurotransmitter

The dopamine it is one of the many neurotransmitters that neurons use to communicate with each other. That means that dopamine plays a very important role in synaptic spaces, that is, the microscopic spaces in which nerve cells make connections with each other.

It is a substance produced by the human body itself, but it can also be made in laboratories. Specifically, dopamine was artificially synthesized by English biologists George Barger and James Ewens, in 1910. Decades later, in 1952, Swedish scientists Arvid Carlsson and Nils-Åke Hillarp managed to unravel the main functions and characteristics of this neurotransmitter.

Dopamine: the neurotransmitter of pleasure... among other things

Dopamine, whose chemical formula is C6H3 (OH) 2-CH2-CH2-NH2, is frequently referred to as the cause of the pleasant sensations and the feeling of relaxation. However, with dopamine and the rest of neurotransmitters something happens that prevents these substances from being related to a very specific function: they influence to a greater or lesser extent in all the functioning of the brain in general, in all the emotional, cognitive and vital processes that take place in that moment.

This means that when dopamine or any other neurotransmitter is linked to specific emotional states or mental processes, this is because the appearance of the latter is related to an increase in the level of certain neurotransmitters in some areas of the brain linked to that state or process in question.

In the case of dopamine, among its functions we also find the coordination of certain muscle movements, the memory regulation, the cognitive processes associated with learning and it has even been seen that it has an important role in decision-making.

The scientific community agrees that dopamine is also is involved in the complex cognitive system that allows us to feel motivated and curiosity about some aspects of life.

1. Dopamine and your personality

But, Does this neurotransmitter have something to do with the personality of each individual? Well, it seems so. Dopamine could be one of the factors to take into account when it comes to knowing if a person is more introverted or more extroverted, more cowardly or braver, or more secure or insecure.

Several investigations support this relationship between dopamine and personality. For example, a study carried out at the Charité University Clinic, in Germany, and which was published in Nature Neuroscience noted that the amount of dopamine found in a subject's amygdala could be a reliable indicator of whether it is calm and calm, with a good confidence in himself, or if on the contrary he would be fearful and with a propensity to suffer stress.

2. Overweight and obesity

In case you had not noticed, not all people feel the same level of pleasure when, for example, they taste an appetizing chocolate cake.

Interestingly, people with a tendency to be overweight and obese have fewer dopamine receptors in their nervous system and, consequently, they need to eat more cake to experience the same satisfaction that produces the act of eating something sweet. Let's say they are less sensitive to addicting flavors. This is the conclusion reached by some English researchers, thanks to a study published in Science.

3. The taste for strong emotions

Are you one of those people who enjoy taking risks? Would you parachute? Answering these questions may also have to do with your age, but there is a new element that, from neuroscience, has been detected as an important factor in predicting this propensity to enjoy risks and emotions powerful.

A research from the University of British Columbia led by Stan Floresco and published in Medical Daily in 2014 reported that the increased presence of dopamine in certain brain regions in teenagers made them overly optimistic about their expectations and taking too high risks.

4. Social status and satisfaction

Through different neuroimaging techniques, A study found that the better the social status of an individual, the greater the number of dopamine D2 receptors located in their brain.

This makes them feel more satisfied with their life and, therefore, act accordingly; the goals of a person with a good self-image are not the same as those of a more pessimistic person in this regard.

5. Key to creativity

Various research published in PLoS have detected that people with a especially creative mind thave a lower density of dopamine D2 receptors in a specific brain region: the thalamus.

This part of the brain's main function is to filter the stimuli that the cerebral cortex receives. This would facilitate the neural connections that allow us to associate concepts in a more efficient way, improving creativity.

6. It also regulates memory

Memory is also a brain function that is also influenced by dopamine. Specific, dopamine is responsible for regulating the duration of information (memories), deciding whether to retain this information for only about 12 hours and it disappears, or whether to keep the information for longer.

This 'decision' process by which a memory fades or remains in our brain is closely related to the concept of meaningful learning. When we learn something that satisfies us, dopamine activates the hippocampus to retain that information. Otherwise, dopamine does not activate the hippocampus and the memory is not stored in our memory.

7. Boost motivation levels

Dopamine is often referred to as the neurotransmitter responsible for the sensation of pleasure, but latest findings show that their main function could be motivation.

For example, A study reported that the link between motivation and dopamine is true, since it is showed that the people most focused on meeting certain demanding goals were those with the most dopamine in their prefrontal cortex and in its striated body.

Bibliographic references:

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• Mazziota et al. (2000). Brain mapping: the disorders. New York: Academic Press.
• Streit, W.J. and Kincaid-Colton, C.A. (nineteen ninety six). The immune system of the brain. Research and Science. January. 16-21.