What are dopamine and serotonin?
For example, if serotonin levels decrease, then dopamine levels will increase," Hafeez says.
She explains that serotonin and dopamine enable our organs to communicate with one another.
How are they similar?
Both serotonin and dopamine are highly affected by sunlight.
Sunlight also triggers the release of dopamine.
Horowitz explains thatwhen exposed to outdoor light, specialized eye cells connect to other cells that release dopamine.
Finally, they also both play a profound role in digestion.
And of course: Food is very much thy medicine.
“Ourmood affects our nutrition choicesjust as much as the opposite is true,” says Horowitz.
How are they different?
While the two neurotransmitters function in similar ways, they do pose significant differences.
Harris-Newton says increased amounts of serotonin hinder impulsive behavior, while dopamine ramps it up.
Because dopamine enhances reward-seeking behavior, she explains impulsivity might indirectly arise from low serotonin.
“When people engage in recreational drug use, serotonin levels increase, which makes people feel very good.
This high is the primary reason people continue taking them.
They want to experience the high again.
What dopamine does for the body.
What doesn’t dopamine do for the body?
Hafeez says it’s released every time you anticipate or experience pleasure.
Low dopamine famously plays a role in mood changes.
How to support healthy dopamine levels.
“Are you eating good foods?
Do you have body or spiritual awareness?
All of these things contribute to an overall sense of well-being.”
What serotonin does for the body.
(you’re free to read more about the connection betweengut and brain health here.)
One theory is that a lack of bacteria andbacteria diversity leads to a decrease in the production of serotonin5.
“Without serotonin, we would struggle to identify when we are full and should stop eating.
How to support healthy serotonin levels.
What conditions are linked to dopamine and serotonin?
“Recreational drug use significantly affects dopamine levels, which contributes to addiction and withdrawal,” says Hafeez.
