Dopamine Sets the Tone
The Importance of Dopamine Response When You First Wake Up
If you’re suffering from depression, lack of motivation, or constant frustration, low dopamine response could be the problem. Furthermore, if you experience any of these symptoms at the start of your day, it’s likely affecting the rest. Studies have shown that dopamine signaling plays a key role in the sleep/wake cycle [1], which translates to dopamine having a significant effect on how your brain performs throughout the day.
Common Causes
- Sleep deprivation
- Alcohol consumption
- Overexertion (physical or mental)
Ways to Improve Dopamine Response
- Address low dopamine in the morning with supplementation.
- Increase endorphins through exercise or supplementation. Endorphin release promotes dopamine activity.
- Eliminate sugar and alcohol. Both of these dampen sensitivity to dopamine.
Sleep is the Reset Button
Why you need deep sleep
Studies have shown that sleep deprivation negatively affects dopamine response[2]. The two most common causes of poor sleep associated with alcohol dependency are GABA and/or serotonin deficiency. Furthermore, magnesium deficiency from chronic alcohol consumption can lower GABA. Identifying these deficiencies and addressing them through targeted supplementation can restore good sleep hygiene.
Precautions around Dosing
When attempting to increase neurotransmitter levels through precursor supplementation, it’s recommended to start with the label suggestion, and increase the dose by no more than a factor of 1 each time you are assessing a dose amount for further benefit. Excessive doses of 5-HTP, for example, can elevate serotonin to dangerous levels in some individuals that may result in heart palpitations and other harmful side effects.
