What Is Dopamine? - Functions Of Dopamine In The Human Body

Описание: In this video we discuss what is dopamine, how it works in the body and some of the effects of dopamine. We also cover how it benefits the body and lower levels of dopamine.


Transcript/notes
Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter, meaning it is a chemical messenger that sends messages between nerve cells. It is made in the brain as it changes the amino acid tyrosine to L-dopa and then to dopamine.

It has many functions in the body. It is in volved in initiating movement, as it has a significant role in motor function and learning new motor skills, such as walking, running or riding a bike.

Dopamine secreting neurons are also found in the retina of the eye, and help to increase the sensitivity to colors and contrast when exposed to bright light conditions, but decrease sensitivity when in low light conditions.

Dopamine also contributes to pleasure and rewards. When we do things that we find pleasurable, such as eating a certain food, or listen to music we like, our brain releases dopamine, which gives us a sense of pleasure. This dopamine rush can be triggered by different things depending on the individual, as some people can get this rush from exercising, reading an enjoyable book, looking at a scenic view, or even from learning something new.

Dopamine also acts on receptors in immune cells, it can increase the blood supply to the kidneys, it is also synthesized and released in the pancreas, and it may act to reduce the amount of insulin released, it also helps relax blood vessels, and it may have critical role in episodic memories.

Lowered levels of dopamine and the loss of dopamine producing cells have been linked to Parkinson’s disease, which is a disease of the brain and nervous system that causes involuntary movements, physical balance issues and other motor related symptoms.

Timestamps
0:00 What is dopamine?
0:13 Functions of dopamine
0:41 Dopamine and pleasure
1:02 Other functions in the body
1:19 Lower levels of dopamine