Stimulating dopamine production

[Dap1948]

I used to naively think one 'used up' dopamine when one moved. After all you need dopamine to move, but apparently the opposite is true. Any movement, even passive movement (when someone moves your limbs for example), stimulates dopamine production. And it's like a dynamo, the brain needs less stimulation to make dopamine each time, and the follow on effect of 'free dopamine' lasts longer each time. Dopamine can be stimulated by

* being active - walking, dancing, swimming etc

* using facial expressions

* being engaged and attentive

* (and as I mentioned yesterday) nesting for women and mating for men!

[PNIAuthor60]

Thank you so much for sharing this information.

[Hikoi]

Daph, i would like to read more because I have noticed both appear true. Some people are invigorated by exercise and others worn out by it, i cant see a pattern yet. Can you give source and/or reference for this info?

[Dap1948 in reply to Hikoi]

I'm sorry but I can't reference this beyond saying it was advice from my sessions with Dr Joaquin Farias. Everything he said had science behind it but I didn't stop him to ask for references all the time!. One other thing I will mention which may be relevant... he said that it was a narrow band of dopamine producing effect after exercise. If you pushed yourself too much you stimulated adrenaline not dopamine.

[Hikoi in reply to Dap1948]

Thanks Daph,

I would certainly like to think this is true, - I havent read anything about dopamine production.

[Jmwg45 in reply to Hikoi]

It is a complicated area and perhaps very individual.

I find walking makes me stiff, achy and feeling distant, yet I'm currently clearing my loft of 11 years of accumulated junk and I'm up and down a ladder with heavy boxes that then need taking downstairs and put in a skip. It leaves me feeling invigorated, clear headed and less achy (until the next morning at least).

I've noticed other things too - cleaning a patio with a pressure washer for instance - have the same effect. I think for me it is non-repetitive, constant activity that works rather than repetitive movements like cycling and walking that work so well for others but leave me drained.

It might also be goal orientated, where there is a sense of achievement attached. I've not yet worked it out. I do PD Warrior though and that gives me the same elation.

Unfortunately though, as I have 2 young children and work full time I can't keeping cleaning patios or emptying lofts so walks have to make do along with the PD warrior.

[johntPM]

This is a very interesting topic.

Like Hikoi, I notice both effects:

- with walking the exercise loosens my whole body;

- with toe tapping after just a few taps the whole foot freezes up.

(Interestingly, as part of walking presumably a similar action is required, but I can walk fine for hours.)

Sutoo et al. write:

"The effect of exercise on brain function was investigated through animal experiments. Exercise leads to increased serum calcium levels, and the calcium is transported to the brain. This, in turn, enhances brain dopamine synthesis through a calmodulin-dependent system, and increased dopamine levels regulate various brain functions."

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/127...

A clear understanding of the dopamine economy would be very useful, very useful.

John

[park_bear]

I have a daily 90 minute routine of hiking and rock scrambling that I enjoy very much. I really miss it if for any reason I am unable to do it.

[CuriousMe12]

" used to naively think one 'used up' dopamine when one moved. After all you need dopamine to move, but apparently the opposite is true".

I'm not sure it's that simple.

We must use dopamine up as we move otherwise why would we need to replenish with levadopa medication.

I think the creation/use of dopamine is complicated. For instance I feel better in the afternoon after a sedentry nap.

Equally certain activities also make me feel better later on.