💡 Dopamine: The Happiness and Motivation Hormone<br />What is dopamine?<br />Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and chemical hormone produced in the brain. It plays a key role in transmitting signals between nerve cells. It is known as the "happiness hormone" or "reward hormone" because it is responsible for feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation.<br />🧠 Functions of Dopamine in the Body<br />Mood regulation: It helps improve psychological well-being and reduce feelings of sadness or depression.<br />Reward and motivation: It is released when a person achieves a goal or receives a reward, motivating them to repeat the behavior.<br />Focus and attention: It plays a role in increasing attention and improving decision-making ability.<br />Motor regulation: It controls muscle movement, so a deficiency can cause movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease.<br />Sleep and appetite regulation: It affects sleep quality and appetite.<br /> ⚠️ Dopamine Deficiency or Excess<br />Dopamine deficiency may cause:<br />Depression<br />Lack of motivation<br />Chronic fatigue<br />Movement problems (as in Parkinson's disease)<br />Excess dopamine may cause:<br />Addiction (such as drug or gaming addiction)<br />Hallucinations or psychological disturbances (as in some cases of schizophrenia)<br />✅ Natural Ways to Increase Dopamine<br />Exercise regularly.<br />Get enough sleep.<br />Eat foods rich in tyrosine, such as bananas, eggs, dark chocolate, and avocados.<br />Listening to music.<br />Achieving small daily goals to increase your sense of accomplishment.<br />🧪 Dopamine and Medications<br />Some medications, such as antidepressants or Parkinson's disease medications, regulate dopamine levels in the brain to compensate for deficiency or limit excess dopamine.<br />📌 Summary<br />Dopamine is key to psychological and behavioral balance in the body. Maintaining normal dopamine levels is essential for good mental and physical health. Its secretion can be enhanced by simple natural means that enhance the overall quality of life.<br /><br /><br />Al _ Mustaqbal University, the first university in Iraq<br />Prepared by: Shahad Nawras Abbas<br />