Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Dopamine

Dopamine: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is dopamine?

Dopamine is a naturally occurring substance in your body. When used as a medicine, it helps treat shock caused by heart attacks, surgery, trauma, kidney failure, heart failure, and other similar conditions. It belongs to the group of drugs known as Inotropic agents. This medicine works on the receptors in your kidney, brain, gut, and heart. Dopamine relaxes the blood vessels in these organs and restores the blood supply and oxygen to the organs. It also protects your kidneys from injury and increases your urine production.

What are the uses of dopamine?

Dopamine, or dopamine hydrochloride, is used in the treatment of the following medical conditions:

  • Low blood pressure.
  • Low cardiac output, which causes hypotension.
  • Poor kidney function.

Dopamine can work single-handedly or can be prescribed along with other medications. It helps improve urine output and prevents kidney failure. It improves blood pressure by enhancing your heart’s pumping capacity and improving the blood flow in your body, especially the kidneys.

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    What are the side effects of dopamine?

    Common side effects of dopamine are:

    • Headache.
    • Nausea.
    • Vomiting.
    • Anxiety.
    • Chills.
    • Goosebumps.
    • Palpitations.
    • Hot flushes – a sensation of warmth on your face, ears, neck, and torso.

    Serious side effects of dopamine include:

    • Shortness of breath.
    • Numbness.
    • Feeling cold.
    • Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat.
    • Chest pain.
    • Lightheadedness.
    • Blue discoloration of hands and feet.
    • Darkening of skin or skin changes in your hands and feet.

    If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your healthcare provider immediately.

    What is Dopamine

    Uses of Dopamine

    Side effects of Dopamine

    References

    1. Dopamine Injection: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Dopamine

    The natural ways to increase dopamine are by eating less saturated fat and ample protein. You must exercise often and get enough sleep to naturally enhance your body's dopamine levels. You could also try listening to music, meditate, or do anything that makes you happy. These activities help stimulate the reward and pleasure areas in your brain which have multiple dopamine receptors.

    Dopamine gets released when your brain starts expecting a reward. Dopamine is a chemical substance that is associated with pleasure. When you perform any activity and relate it to pleasure, your brain starts releasing dopamine in anticipation. This release of dopamine stimulates you to perform the activity again.

    Any activity that makes you happy and gives you pleasure triggers dopamine. Walking, exercising, getting enough sleep, listening to your favourite music, dancing, singing, meditating, or spending time in the sun will help trigger dopamine. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, and adequate sleep to regulate your body's dopamine production.

    Dopamine acts on specific receptors in your body. These receptors are present in your kidneys, gut, brain, and heart. Dopamine relaxes the blood vessels in these organs and restores their blood and oxygen supply. It also increases the urine production in your kidneys.

    Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that your body makes. It allows you to feel pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction. The surge of dopamine in your brain when you have achieved something creates a feeling of happiness. It is one of the four chemicals in the brain that drives your positive and 'feel good' emotions.

    You can control the levels of dopamine that are released in your body by eating right and sleeping well. Consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and fermented foods is also essential in supporting dopamine production.

    You can get dopamine by consuming the 'dopamine diet'. It includes eating dairy-based foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs; nuts like almonds and walnuts; dark chocolate; and fruits and vegetables.

    Dopamine fasting can help reset your body's dopamine levels. You can do this by abstaining from anything that brings you pleasure. It could be smartphones, Netflix, social media, eye contact while conversing with people, yummy foods, games, or even sex. This will help your brain to recover and restore itself.

    Dopamine is known to have both excitatory and inhibitory effects. It is associated with the reward and pleasure areas in your brain. Excitatory functions promote an action, while inhibitory functions prevent an action.

    Several people abuse drugs because they are known to release dopamine in the brain. These include alcohol, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine. They create a neurochemical (albeit artificial) reaction that increases the dopamine released by the neurons in your brain.

    Dopamine mechanisms can be confusing. Understanding your symptoms and taking necessary medication, even more so. But worry not, our medical experts at Yashoda Hospitals will clear all your doubts and explain everything you need to know about dopamine and other medication.