Have you ever felt that rush of excitement, that high tide of contentment, or that deep feeling of calm? Often taken for granted, these emotions are many complex chemical reactions in our brains. Dopamine and serotonin are the two major neurotransmitters responsible for regulating mood, motivation, and well-being. In this blog post, we take a closer look at dopamine vs serotonin, their functions, what can affect their concentrations, and how to attain a healthy balance.
What is Dopamine?
Synthesised in the brain through a two-step process from the amino acid tyrosine to L-dopa to dopamine, this chemical compound is often referred to as the pleasure neurotransmitter. This hormone is also referred to as ‘Happy Hormone’ or feel-good hormone because it is associated with the feeling of pleasure and mood enhancement. Dopamine is essential to the brain’s reward system as well and significantly impacts motivation, desire, and cravings.
Often, addictive behaviours are attributed to those activities acting as dopamine boosters, hitting the pleasure centres in the brain. Whenever you enjoy any activity, such as eating, drinking, gambling, or anything else, remember that this hormone is at play along with other neurotransmitters. It further influences body functions, including:
- Mood
- Alertness
- Learning
- Sleep
- Movement
- Blood flow
- Urine output
What is Serotonin?
Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is synthesised from the amino acid tryptophan primarily, in the Raphe nuclei of the brain stem. Serotonin positively affects mood but is essential in digestion and healthy immune system function. About 95% of the serotonin in the body is in the enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract, where it regulates bowel movements. In addition to its role in digestion, serotonin is also involved in the:
- Regulation of sleep-wake cycles
- Control of mood and emotions
- Metabolic rate and appetite
- Cognitive functions and concentration
- Hormonal balance
- Body temperature
- Blood coagulation
Dopamine vs Serotonin Effects on Health
The crucial neurotransmitters impact physiological and psychological health in intricate ways. Here is an overview of the impact of dopamine and serotonin:
| Aspect | Serotonin | Dopamine |
| Mental Health | Low levels are strongly associated with depression, influencing mood, satisfaction, and empathy. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to increase serotonin in the body. | Low levels can contribute to depression through reduced pleasure and motivation. Dopamine-enhancing medications may be used with SSRIs to improve energy and motivation. |
| Digestion | Produced in the gut, where it regulates digestive enzyme release and gut motility. Excess can cause GI disorders like IBS, while low levels can lead to constipation. | Produced in the brain, but low dopamine levels in the digestive tract help increase blood flow and electrolyte absorption. |
| Sleep | Necessary for melatonin production, which regulates sleep. Excess can disrupt REM sleep, affecting mood, concentration, and memory. | Influences the circadian rhythm, helping regulate alertness and melatonin production according to the time of day. |
| Excess Levels | Excess can cause serotonin syndrome, a severe condition with symptoms like diarrhoea, hallucinations, confusion and high blood pressure. | High levels can lead to mania, excessive energy, irritability, anxiety, and depression. Elevated dopamine is also linked to addiction, ADHD, and schizophrenia. |
Relationship Between Serotonin and Dopamine
When comparing dopamine vs serotonin, understanding their interaction is quite important regarding the homeostasis of various physiological and psychological processes. Both neurotransmitters affect and interact with the action of the other in an attempt to maintain appropriate chemical balance in the body.
Dopamine sends messages to the brain, controlling body movements and coordination. Further, it is central to the pleasure and reward centres in the brain. For this reason, it has become associated with various behaviours such as eating, social media scrolling, and gaming. High levels of dopamine are associated with feelings of euphoria, drive and focused energy but may also contribute toward addictive behaviours.
Like dopamine, serotonin mechanisms also tend to regulate mood and emotions. Serotonin may help regulate several body functions such as sleep, bowel movements, control of appetite, metabolism, and gut motility, which are relevant to digestive functions.
They act as neuromodulators, signalling to large numbers of neurons surrounding and distal to their site of release. Thus, they tend to stay longer in the system than other neurotransmitters, having a lasting or prolonged impact.
How to Increase the Levels of Serotonin and Dopamine?
Serotonin vs dopamine deficiency symptoms can affect your way of life. Keeping the happy hormones optimal is very important since this will guarantee good physical and mental health. Natural boosters for serotonin and dopamine booster include the following:
- Exercises like simple walking can lift your mood since they aid in the natural secretion of hormones.
- Neurotransmitter levels in the brain increase when you get more sun exposure.
- Coffee raises serotonin and dopamine levels, but a reduction of their levels suddenly promotes withdrawal symptoms.
- Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids enhance the level of serotonin.
- Relaxing to decrease stress, such as meditation, will promote dopamine levels and improve mood.
If you are diagnosed with disorders associated with serotonin vs dopamine deficiency symptoms, your physician may recommend medications to stimulate the reward centres in the brain chemically. Resolving digestive issues can often elevate your mood, mainly because of the optimal levels of these hormones.
Conclusion
Both serotonin and dopamine belong to a group of neurotransmitters that highly contribute to the maintenance of mood, motivation, and feelings of well-being. Knowing their functions and what levels are considered normal puts you in a position to behave responsibly and take proper care of your mental health. Integrating serotonin and dopamine boosters into your regular diet, along with sunshine and regular exercising, will definitely help improve your general health condition.
