Dopamine and Serotonin are neurotransmitters that send signals throughout the body. They affect the way you feel. Dopamine is related to motivation and rewards, while Serotonin is associated with focus, happiness, and calmness. Here you will know some facts about Dopamine vs Serotonin in detail. A sense of temporary pleasure is caused due to the release of dopamine in the brain, while serotonin being identical to dopamine causes long-lasting feelings of happiness and well-being. Both of them share some participation in mental health conditions.
Dopamine:
Dopamine is known as the pleasure neurotransmitter. It is made through a two-step process. Tyrosine (an amino acid) is made into another amino acid called L-dopa, which is then converted into Dopamine. Dopamine is used by the body to create two chemicals namely, norepinephrine and epinephrine. It plays a major role in the reward system of the brain that controls motivation, desire, cravings, etc. Dopamine helps you learn new things and pay more attention. It also has some lesser-known functions like:
- Muscle movement
- Lactation
- Pain in the body
- Overall mood swings
- Sleep
- Learning
- Heart rate
- Blood flow
Serotonin:
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain, which is also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine. It is made from the amino acid named tryptophan. Out of the body’s total serotonin, 90% of it stays in the enterochromaffin cells in the gut where it helps in the movement of the digestive system. It causes a long-lasting feeling of happiness and can boost your mood. Some lesser-known functions of Serotonin are improving:
- Emotions
- Sleep Cycle
- Appetite and metabolism
- Body temperature
- Concentration
- Clotting of blood
- Hormonal activity
- Cognitive ability
Relation Between Dopamine And Serotonin:
Dopamine and Serotonin are hormones, these neurotransmitters affect our feelings and regulate our body movement. Their functions coincide sometimes in mood regulation and behavior control but they affect differently. Dopamine has a major role in the brain’s reward system and when it is released, it can create a temporary sense of enjoyment. When you meet a person, Dopamine plays an important role in social behavior. While Serotonin induces a long-lasting feeling of happiness. According to some studies, improper interactions between Dopamine and Serotonin may be a key factor in mood disorders such as suicidal behavior, aggression, and substance use disorder.
Effects On Sleeping Schedule: Dopamine vs Serotonin
Melatonin is a hormone that our brain produces in response to darkness and is responsible for our sleep cycle. Serotonin and dopamine are required to make melatonin in the brain. Dopamine acts on the pineal gland which is the center of the circadian rhythm, these are the physical and mental changes in an individual during 24 hours and are mostly affected by food and light.
Effects On Mental Health: Dopamine vs Serotonin
Dopamine works on the pathways of the brain and stops at Dopamine receptors to exchange signals that affect pleasure, cognition, or thinking in a person. Serotonin is one of the most important hormones that affect the mental health of a person. Only 2% of Serotonin is present in the central nervous system which has a critical role in mental disorders. The imbalance of serotonin may cause mental disorders such as MDD(major depressive disorder), bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and autism. SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) medications such as Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, are available in the market to treat these mental disorders.
Effects On Digestion: Dopamine vs Serotonin
Around 95% of total Serotonin is present in your gut and it helps to stimulate contraction in the small intestine for the movement of food. When you eat Some food that contains harmful bacteria then Serotonin speeds the contractions in your gut to move that food faster and that may cause vomiting or diarrhea. Dopamine also helps in the movement of food through the digestive system. Dopamine prevents peptic ulcers by providing a protective effect on the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Similarities Between Dopamine And Serotonin:
As we know Dopamine and Serotonin, both are hormones. Both affect an individual mentally and physically. Low Dopamine and Serotonin levels may cause depression in a person and at the same time higher level of Dopamine can produce a feeling of happiness for the short term only and serotonin can produce a long-lasting feeling of happiness. Both hormones are responsible for the sleep, metabolism, and digestion. Both of these neurotransmitters can communicate with many neurons and distance does not matter (both near and far from the receptor site). It is also important to know that their signals are long-lasting than other neurotransmitters.
Difference between Dopamine And Serotonin:
Dopamine and Serotonin, are both neurotransmitters but still they have some different functions. Dopamine relays the signals between neurons that are responsible for coordination in the body. It also helps in feeling productive and motivated while Serotonin helps to uplift your mood and it also regulates sleep, appetite, memory, digestion, and learning ability in a person.
Causes of Dopamine and Serotonin Imbalance:
Deficiency of Serotonin and Dopamine can be caused due to numerous reasons. Some medications can also affect Dopamine and Serotonin levels. Some causes of Dopamine and Serotonin imbalance.
- Anxiety
- Brain injury
- Chronic stress
- Low omega-3 fatty acids
- Low carbs in the diet
- Not enough sunlight exposure
- Deficiency of Vitamin D
- Parkinson’s Disease
Symptoms of Low Serotonin and Dopamine:
Observe the low, and and high serotin, and Dopamine symptoms to live a healthy life.
Dopamine:-
- Depressed mood
- Lack of motivation
- Memory loss
- Difficulty with balance and coordination
- Tremors
- Muscle cramps
- Decreased sex drive
- Difficulty paying attention
- Lack of pleasure
- Leg syndrome
Serotonin:-
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Compulsive behaviour
- Gastrointestinal issues
High Levels of Dopamine and Serotonin:
It’s very rare for serotonin and dopamine levels to get high, but in case they do then you have to face the following issues. Know about high levels of Dopamine vs Serotonin effects.
Serotonin:-
Very high levels of serotonin cause Serotonin syndrome which is a life-threatening condition. It mostly occurs when someone takes too many medicines that boost serotonin levels. Its symptoms are:
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Hallucinations
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty with balance
- High blood pressure
Dopamine:-
High Levels of Dopamine cause side effects including:
- Mania
- Irritability
- Excess energy
- Depression
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Schizophrenia
How To Increase Levels of Dopamine and Serotonin:
Certain medications are used to boost Serotonin and Dopamine levels. However, it is advised to boost their levels naturally.
Natural Way:
- Stay active- Exercise has been proven to boost the Serotonin levels in the brain. Make a proper schedule for your exercise plan.
- Go outside- Sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D and it helps increase Dopamine and Serotonin levels in the brain.
- Improve your diet- Eat a balanced diet, raise your iron level, and avoid junk foods and sugar. Coffee also helps in boosting Serotonin and Dopamine levels in the brain. Additionally, you eat foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Manage stress- Add stress-relieving activities to your daily routine. Try doing Yoga and meditation. It will help you boost Serotonin and Dopamine levels.
Medication:
There are some medications available in the market and by the help of these medications you can enhance the levels of Dopamine and Serotonin. However, you should not take over-the-counter medication because it may not show the desired effects. Consult a doctor and take the medication according to the doctor’s guidelines.
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)- They keep serotonin and norepinephrine circulating.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)- They keep serotonin circulating in the brain for a long time. Therefore, keeping its levels higher.
- Tricyclic antidepressants: They prevent the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine.
Conclusion:
Both Dopamine and Serotonin are very important neurotransmitters in the brain that affect our mental health. Both are hormones but still, they have some different functions, you should always try to maintain a balanced level of these hormones otherwise, you may face consequences such as lack of motivation, memory-related issues, digestion issues, mood swings, and many more. They can be boosted by medications but it’s not advised to do so without consulting a doctor. Keeping a good lifestyle, a healthy diet, and exercising daily will help you keep your levels perfectly balanced. If you think you have any issues with your Dopamine or Serotonin levels, you should consider consulting a doctor.
FAQs
Does Dopamine Make You Happy Or Serotonin?
Dopamine and Serotonin, both are important to make you happy. Dopamine works on the reward system while serotonin works differently. Serotonin decreases the feeling of depression and anxiety and in this way it makes you feel happy.
What Is The Main Difference Between Serotonin And Dopamine?
There are many differences between serotonin and Dopamine. The main difference is Dopamine works on the reward system and you may have cravings for that reward to increase your Dopamine level while Serotonin does not need any reward, it alleviates your mood by reducing anxiety and depression.
How Do I Know If I Lack Dopamine Or Serotonin?
There are several symptoms of a lack of Dopamine and Serotonin. However, you can simply identify a lack of these chemical messengers in your body. Due to the lack of these, you may feel anxious, have trouble concentrating, lack motivation, trouble sleeping, etc.
What Triggers Dopamine Release?
As mentioned earlier, Dopamine works on a reward system so doing activities, cooking, exercising, meditating, yoga, massage, playing with a pet, walking in nature, whatever you like, and eating your favorite food may trigger Dopamine release. Even earning money and shopping can also increase Dopamine levels.
Is Love Dopamine Or Serotonin?
Dopamine and Serotonin both are responsible for love. When you are attracted to someone, your brain releases Dopamine, which affects the bonding between two people. When a relationship becomes stable then the serotonin level enhances and provides a feeling of calmness.
Is Depression A Lack Of Serotonin Or Dopamine?
A lot of factors are responsible for depression. However, an imbalance of neurotransmitters like Dopamine and Serotonin are also can be a reason for depression. Dopamine is also known as motivation hormone, when you have low levels of motivation hormone, you may feel depressed. In the same way, Serotonin is also known as a happy hormone, and a lack of a happy hormone may impact your mood negatively.
What Are The Symptoms Of High Dopamine?
The symptoms are high Dopamine levels high energy levels, aggressiveness, anxiety, intense happiness, etc.
What Depletes Serotonin?
Low production of Serotonin in your body or not having enough Serotonin receptors may be the reason for Serotonin depletion.
What Does Too Little Dopamine Feel Like?
Too little Dopamine may cause several mental and physical symptoms such as sad feelings, hallucinations, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, memory loss for the short term, digestion issues, tremors, slow movement, muscle spasms, etc.
Does Coffee Increase Dopamine?
Yes, Coffee increases Dopamine levels in your brain. Caffeine present in coffee slows down the rate of the process of dopamine leaving the brain and returning to the body. However, it does not increase the Dopamine production in the body.
Can You Take Dopamine Pills?
Yes, you can take a Dopamine pill, it helps to treat some health issues and it is approved by the US government to treat some disorders.