· By Caitlin Bray
Dopamine Supplements: 10 That Actually Work
Even if you haven’t heard of dopamine, you’re probably familiar with its effects on the body.
While serotonin takes all the credit for being the “happy” hormone, dopamine is in charge of our reward and pleasure centers. It's the one that makes us feel focused and motivated to complete tasks (pssst- if you struggle with procrastination and focus, it could be due to low dopamine levels!)
Unfortunately, dopamine doesn’t always come naturally to the body in the levels it should, and so we need to supplement. But, with so many options out there, how can you know which ones are legitimate?
We’ve prepared a list of the 10 dopamine supplements that actually work, so that you can start feeling good again in no time flat!
L-Tyrosine
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body, which helps to produce not only dopamine but also adrenaline and norepinephrine.
Supplementing L-Tyrosine, in the form of either a capsule or by eating foods that are high in the amino acid like beef, salmon, pork, turkey, and chicken, can also boost production of dopamine by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters that are available to produce and receive the chemical.*
L-Tyrosine also converts into L-DOPA (also known as levodopa), which can be synthesized directly to dopamine. That makes the supplement pretty darn effective and efficient.
L-Tyrosine also helps increase feelings of energy and alertness.* It’s one of the most direct ways that you can supplement your health and make yourself feel good while also supporting your mental and emotional wellness!
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid known for helping to increase certain neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine, serotonin, and GABA.* It has been studied a lot more than some of the other supplements on this list, and has gone beyond animal studies into testing on humans.
While many chemicals are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier, L-Theanine is one of the special ones able to break through and naturally boost dopamine levels in the brain. It also helps to induce alpha brain waves, which are the brain waves seen in people during times of relaxation.*
In addition to being included in many dopamine boosting supplements, L-Theanine can be found naturally in green tea and even some mushrooms.
Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl:
L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid that turns fat from our food into energy. It also supports the release of dopamine*, for increased focus, attention and motivation.
Vitamin B6:
Vitamin B6 is a key player in the synthesis of converting amino acids into neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
Vitamin B12:
Vitamin B12 gives you a natural energy boost by converting your food into energy. It is also crucial for the regulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, to help lower stress and anxiousness.
Low B12 levels are associated with depression, cognitive impairment, dementia and even brain shrinkage. Estimates suggest that up to 50% of adult Americans have B12 deficiency or suboptimal B12 levels.
Zinc:
Zinc is an essential trace mineral and cofactor required for the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine into dopamine. Zinc also defends brain cells against oxidative stress, which scientists link to cognitive decline.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea, also known as arctic root or golden root, is an adaptogen. Originally, it was used to help with physical boosts like strength and endurance but, as people learned more about mental health, its benefits became even more pronounced.
Rhodiola rosea helps support your overall mental and physical wellness, especially in helping to maintain wellness when you’re stressed. It can also support healthy cognitive function, provide feelings of increased energy, and promote emotional well-being. In addition, it can support regular dopamine production.*
The herb also works even better when used in tandem with other similar-purpose ingredients like L-theanine to help further support normal dopamine production and the brain wellness during periods of stress.
Turmeric
The more we learn about turmeric, the more impressed we are. In fact, in some studies, just one gram of the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, was shown to have significant mood improving effects.
Turmeric not only helps to increase dopamine levels, it also improves mood and overall mental wellness.* It is an easy product to find and cook with, and is commonly found in many curries.
For those who aren’t into curry, it can also be supplemented in capsule, extract, and even tea form. It even works great as a facial mask, reducing the appearance of acne and redness with its natural skin supporting properties. It’s a well-rounded supplement!
Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency has long been associated with depression. While the exact link isn’t totally understood, mice that were noted to have low magnesium levels were also noted to have low dopamine levels. Supplementing magnesium and dopamine deficient mice with magnesium also boosted their dopamine levels.
Magnesium can be found naturally in green, leafy vegetables like spinach, as well as other whole foods like broccoli, nuts, and whole grains. Many of those foods are also high in fiber, which is great for the body overall. You can even get magnesium from dark chocolate! It’s an easy way to naturally help boost your dopamine.
Vitamin D
The importance of Vitamin D is still always unfolding, but what we do know is that low levels of the vitamin in the body can have some pretty nasty consequences.
One of the positive effects Vitamin D has on the body is how it supports normal dopamine function, as well as other neurotransmitters.*
While it hasn’t been studied in too much detail yet, animal studies have shown that mice with low Vitamin D levels also had low dopamine levels. When those Vitamin D levels were increased, there was a dopamine increase as well. We look forward to seeing further studies!
But with so many other benefits like supporting muscle function and bone health, Vitamin D has a lot of promise outside of just supporting dopamine!
Final Thoughts
Dopamine is the focus hormone, and we all could use a little more focus in our lives!
Helping your body reach healthy dopamine levels isn’t as difficult as it sounds. By just enhancing your diet with products that naturally support healthy dopamine levels, as well as adding supplementation where necessary with natural focus aids like PYM Attention Chews, you can support your focus easily and effectively!
*FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/l-dopa
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23832433
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/001429999290154V
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2761676/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17182482/