Illustration by Lydia Kibiuk. The major dopamine pathways in the brain are involved in motor control, motivation, and reward. Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area VTA project to the frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and other areas, and these neurons play an important role in motivation and reward. Motor control is governed by dopamine pathways from the substantia nigra to the striatum.
Courtesy, with permission: National Institute on Drug Abuse. Courtesy, with permission: Dunnet, et al. Nature, About the Author. Also In Movement. How Neurons Make Muscles Twitch. Naysayer Neurons Keep the Peace. Brains and Brawn. Trending Popular articles on BrainFacts. The Neuron. Proteins That Balance Our Moods. Animals in Research Advancing science, improving health.
Educator Resources Explain the brain to your students with a variety of teaching tools and resources. Like Subscribe Follow Follow Subscribe. One of the most prominent neurotransmitters that impact human behavior is dopamine.
When we experience pleasurable events like eating satisfying food, sexual activity, or drug use, our body releases dopamine. Our brain then associates the release of dopamine with pleasure and creates a reward system.
For example, when you eat comforting food, your brain releases dopamine, which makes you feel good. Therefore, your brain assumes this is a reward and encourages you to repeat this behavior, even though the comforting food may not be the healthiest choice for your body.
Dopamine is associated with reinforcement. It is thought to be the chemical that motivates a person to do something repeatedly. Reward and reinforcement help us create our personal habits.
Humans gravitate toward positive experiences and avoid negative ones. Dopamine is what drives us to create these patterns. This is why people with low dopamine levels may be more likely to develop addictions to drugs, food, sex, or alcohol. It is important to note that abnormally low levels of dopamine are not only associated with addiction but can cause physical and mental impairments because this major body chemical controls many body functions.
A release of dopamine is what tells the brain whether an experience was pleasurable enough to experience again. When there is a lack of dopamine, it can cause people to change their behaviors in ways that will help release more of this chemical. They will pursue activities that trigger their reward center, even if these activities are harmful or taboo.
They may seek illicit drugs or alcohol or engage in other harmful, addictive behaviors. An imbalance of dopamine can create an unhealthy reward system response in the brain. Because dopamine is the chemical that drives us to seek positive experiences and avoid negative ones, when this reward system is damaged, human behavior patterns may change to seek out harmful situations and substances as a means of pleasure.
Going from a low dopamine state to a high dopamine state due to the use of illicit drugs is one example of how a person can damage their cognitive function. Though drug use is harmful, the brain only recognizes that it is a source of pleasure and does not seek to stop the behavior.
The brain may view many negative experiences as positive ones when its reward system has been damaged. This is true not only with drug use but also in situations such as trauma bonding, where a person stays in a relationship regardless of how harmful or abusive it may be. Though the reality of the interaction with this person may be damaging, the brain does not recognize it as such. This is a clear example of how powerful brain chemicals can be. Mental health issues may also correspond with a higher risk of addiction.
Research suggests that people with mental health conditions may be more likely to abuse mind-altering substances. There is much debate in the current medical community as to whether addiction is a choice or a disease , and whether low dopamine might be a contributing cause for addiction. Every individual responds to substances differently. For example, some people become intoxicated very easily, while others can withstand higher amounts of alcohol before getting drunk.
Differences like these may be influenced by variations in genetic makeup. This theory suggests that substance abuse can run in families because of an underlying inherited component. Thanks to technology, scientists have been able to isolate certain gene sequences that seem to indicate a greater risk of drug or alcohol addiction.
These gene sequences determine how the body produces certain proteins. One study, for example, discovered that mice with low levels of PSD were highly sensitive to cocaine. Mice with normal amounts of PSD were less likely to become addicted to cocaine. Another animal study revealed that cocaine, opioids, and amphetamines use a protein called DARPP to affect and influence the brain. When the protein was removed from the brain, mice no longer responded to the drugs they once abused.
Even though these studies were done on mice, research shows that genetics can also increase the risk of addiction in humans.
Scientific data shows that children of addicts are 8 times more likely to develop an addiction. Kathleen Brady explained. In short, our genes determine our responses to trauma, which can make us less or more likely to abuse addictive substances. Many mental health disorders are linked to low levels of dopamine. There is limited evidence that diet and lifestyle can affect the levels of dopamine a person creates and transmits in their body.
Certain medications and some therapies may help relieve symptoms, but a person should always speak to a doctor first if they are concerned about their dopamine levels.
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