Dopamine is a neurotransmitter: a substance that, in the nerve synapse, is responsible for transmitting impulses. Synapse, on the other hand, is the name given to the connection established by two neurons. According to abbreviationfinder, DPM stands for Dopamine.

Derived from an amino acid called dopa (which, in turn, is derived from tyrosine), dopamine acts on the basal ganglia at the base of the brain. Its chemical formula is C6H3(OH)2-CH2-CH2-NH2, while its abbreviation is DA.

The functions that dopamine develops in the brain are numerous. Cognition, sleep, motivation, attention, mood, and motor activity depend, in part, on the presence and function of this neurotransmitter.

It is important to know that dopamine is released when we have sexual intercourse, when we are exercising or when we are eating an exquisite product.

Some curious facts about the functions or influences of dopamine are the following:

-Different studies carried out have come to indicate that dopamine greatly influences the personality of an individual. And it is that you can determine if you are braver or less, more or less shy…

-Memory is greatly influenced by dopamine as it indicates whether information that has been retained should remain for a while or should disappear.

-People who are more motivated have more dopamine in their body.

-It is established that people who are overweight or with a tendency to obesity have fewer dopamine receptors in what becomes their nervous system.

-Several studies carried out in recent years have come to make it clear that people who have great creativity are people who have a lower density of dopamine receptors in the thalamus.

-People who enjoy risk-related experiences and activities when they are adolescents do so because they have more dopamine in certain areas of their brain.

Dopamine biosynthesis takes place in the brain and adrenal glands. Those neurons that have dopamine as their primary neurotransmitter are known as dopaminergic neurons.

When dopamine biosynthesis is deficient in dopaminergic neurons, a person can develop Parkinson’s disease. This disorder causes muscle rigidity, tremors and slowness in the development of movements. For the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, a dopamine precursor called levodopa is usually given.

It should be noted that a very high level of dopamine in the body is often linked to mental problems such as schizophrenia and psychosis. This is because drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines increase the level of dopamine and cause psychotic symptoms. On the contrary, phenothiazines block dopamine receptors and help minimize these types of symptoms.

It is considered that there are a series of foods that are rich in dopamine and that it is worth taking into account. In this case, we are referring, for example, to bananas, legumes, green beans and even tomatoes.