dopamine
Brain's pleasure messenger
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter—a chemical messenger in the brain associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation.
It plays a role in how we experience satisfaction and pursue goals.
In popular usage, dopamine often serves as shorthand for the brain's reward system: Social media is designed to trigger dopamine hits.
The term appears frequently in discussions of addiction, habit formation, and what makes activities feel rewarding.
Mood-regulating brain chemical
- synapsesNeuron-to-neuron transmission points
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- glutamateExcitatory neural transmitter
neurons · acetylcholine · norepinephrine · endorphins · GABA · catecholamines · reuptake · D1
Powerful urge to have
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- dependenceState of needing another
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
relapse · rehabilitation · detoxification · recovery · abstinence · binge · desensitization · anhedonia
Payment for service
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
- enjoymentState of relishing something
- gratificationPleasure from satisfying desires
- satisfactionState of fulfilled desires
liking · rush · high · buzz · bliss · reinforcement · feel-good · elation
Neurodegenerative motor disorder
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
- depressionProlonged low state
- restless legsCompulsion to move extremities
psychosis · anhedonia · mania · impulse control · addiction · Tourette's · dystonia · antipsychotics
Focused mental awareness
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- working memoryTemporary cognitive holding space
- cognitionMental knowledge acquisition
- alertnessActive mental awareness
executive function · task-switching · ADHD · stimulants · Adderall · Ritalin · prefrontal cortex · mental clarity
Operate a vehicle
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- goal-seekingDirected toward an endpoint
- initiativeSelf-directed action capacity
- wantingAbsent or insufficient
effort · pursuit · engagement · persistence · striving · eagerness · proactivity · energization
serotonin
Mood-regulating brain chemical
- synapsesNeuron-to-neuron transmission points
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
glutamate · neurons · acetylcholine · norepinephrine · endorphins · GABA · catecholamines · reuptake · D1 · transporter
craving
Powerful urge to have
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- dependenceState of needing another
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
compulsion · relapse · rehabilitation · detoxification · recovery · abstinence · binge · desensitization · anhedonia · overconsumption
reward
Payment for service
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
- enjoymentState of relishing something
- gratificationPleasure from satisfying desires
satisfaction · liking · rush · high · buzz · bliss · reinforcement · feel-good · elation · thrill
Parkinson's
Neurodegenerative motor disorder
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
- depressionProlonged low state
restless legs · psychosis · anhedonia · mania · impulse control · addiction · Tourette's · dystonia · antipsychotics · agonist
attention
Focused mental awareness
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- working memoryTemporary cognitive holding space
- cognitionMental knowledge acquisition
alertness · executive function · task-switching · ADHD · stimulants · Adderall · Ritalin · prefrontal cortex · mental clarity · hyperfocus
drive
Operate a vehicle
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- goal-seekingDirected toward an endpoint
- initiativeSelf-directed action capacity
wanting · effort · pursuit · engagement · persistence · striving · eagerness · proactivity · energization · goal-directed
- brain sciencebrain scan, brain research, brain map, brain imaging, brain chemistry
- chemical compoundsacetone, aldehydes, amines, esters, ketones
- drugsibuprofen, marijuana, aspirin, meth, cocaine
- brain termsserotonin, amygdala, neurons, synapses, brain waves
- Neurochemistryserotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, acetylcholine, GABA
- Neurotransmissionsynapse, acetylcholine, serotonin, glutamate, GABA
dopamineserotonin
Mood-regulating brain chemical
GABA · acetylcholine · endorphins · melatonin · norepinephrine
dopamineanhedonia
Inability to feel enjoyment
aversion · apathy · withdrawal · avoidance
dopaminecontentment
Peaceful satisfaction with circumstances
satiation · satisfaction · depression · lethargy · boredom
- dopamine hitsBursts of reward neurotransmitter
- dopamine releaseNeurotransmitter discharge causing pleasure
- dopamine detoxAbstaining from pleasurable stimuli
- dopamine regulationBrain's reward chemical control
- dopamine antagonistBlocks neurotransmitter binding sites
- dopamine agonistCompound mimicking neurotransmitter action