The hormone dopamine is a chemical compound in the brain that plays a role in conveying stimuli throughout the body. This hormone affects various human activities, from the ability to remember to move the limbs.
The hormone dopamine is also known as the emotion control hormone. When released in the right amount, this hormone will improve mood, so people will feel happier and happier. Conversely, a lack of the hormone dopamine will make your mood bad, and can even increase the risk of depression.
Get to know the Facts about the Dopamine Hormone
Here are some important facts about the dopamine hormone that you need to know:
1. Has a function as a neurotransmitter
In the body, the hormone dopamine is known as a neurotransmitter, which is a chemical compound that acts as a conductor of stimuli (messages in the form of stimuli) to nerve cells, both in the brain and in muscles.
2. Generate positive feelings
The hormone dopamine affects the emergence of pleasant feelings, ranging from falling in love, joy, motivation, to self-confidence. But if released in excess, this hormone can make a person obsessed with something.
3. Influence behavior
Dopamine can also affect a person's behavior. When released in the right levels, the hormone dopamine will make a person more excited and motivated.
4. Supports digestion and immunity
The hormone dopamine can help the digestive process, by making the digestive tract digest nutrients optimally. In addition, the hormone dopamine can also increase endurance and reduce inflammation.
5. Become a vasodilator
At normal levels, the hormone dopamine in the blood vessels can be a vasodilator. That is, this hormone keeps blood vessels from dilating so that blood pressure does not increase.
6. Affects the work of body organs
The hormone dopamine can affect the work of important organs in the body, such as the kidneys and pancreas. In the kidneys, this hormone will increase urine output. While in the pancreas, the hormone dopamine will suppress the production of the hormone insulin, which plays a role in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
7. Play a role in the emergence of disorders in the brain
The release of too much dopamine in the brain has been shown to increase a person's risk of developing schizophrenia. Conversely, too low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with the development of Parkinson's disease.
8. Affects the ability to focus
Abnormalities of the dopamine hormone in the brain are often associated with attention deficit disorders and hyperactivity.attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore, people with ADHD will be given drugs to increase the release of dopamine production in the brain.
9. Improve the work of the heart and blood flow to the kidneys
This effect makes drugs containing the hormone dopamine can be used to treat shock, for example due to heart failure, kidney failure, injury, or heart attack.
10. Can be triggered by some types of drugs
Some types of drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, can trigger the brain to release large amounts of the hormone dopamine and make a person feel euphoric.
The hormone dopamine plays an important role so that the body can function optimally. If you feel you need drugs to increase the release of dopamine in the body, consult your doctor first, in order to get optimal benefits and minimize the risk of side effects.