What Do They Do? Why Are They Different? And Which Do You Need More Of?

Serotonin and Dopamine are both neurotransmitters. They are responsible for our happiness and life satisfaction respectively.

Neurotransmitters are a series of chemicals that our brain releases when neurons communicate with each other.

Some people's brains do not produce or release enough dopamine and/or serotonin. This can lead the person to develop depression, anxiety, a low sex drive, and even memory loss.

Today, we are going to look at the difference between serotonin and dopamine and the unique roles they play in our bodies.

The Key Differences

Here is a breakdown of the key differences between the two chemicals:




If you would like to take a deeper dive into this comparison, then check out this article -

https://www.aspenridgerecoverycenters.com/serotonin-vs-dopamine-deficiency-symptoms/.

What Is Serotonin?

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is released by the brain. It is responsible for regulating our moods but it also helps us to sleep well and to digest our food.

When you find yourself feeling calm or happy it is because serotonin has been produced and absorbed by your brain. If you find yourself not feeling happy very often it might be because your brain is not producing enough serotonin or it is struggling to absorb the serotonin that is being produced.

The scientific name 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) refers to serotonin. It is produced in the central nervous system (CNS).

While serotonin is typically linked with making us feel happy, a lack of serotonin is also associated with anger issues and aggression.

How Can I Get My Brain To Produce More Serotonin?

There are a few things you can do to increase the amount of serotonin produced by your CNS.

The easiest way to do this is to exercise - exercise causes your brain to release multiple types of endorphins including both serotonin and dopamine.

Eating well can also help your brain to produce more serotonin. As can meditating. You should also make a list of little things that make you happy every day.

What is Dopamine?

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is released by the brain. It is responsible for regulating our motivation and satisfaction. It is also responsible for our ability to move and our balance.

Like Serotonin, Dopamine is produced in the CNS and is an endorphin. Endorphins are produced by breaking down amino acids.

Dopamine also plays a key role in short-term memory storage. When we don't produce enough of it we struggle with recall and our cognitive abilities actually drop.

Dopamine is the chemical that is responsible for our motivation and whether we feel satisfied. It is because of dopamine that we are more likely to choose short-term rewards over long-term benefits - i.e going on TikTok instead of working on our novel.

How Can I Get My Brain To Produce More Dopamine?

Spending time in the sun is a good way to make more dopamine. Vitamin D is essential for dopamine production and absorption.

Exercise is also essential for dopamine release - as well as eating well and meditating. Listening to music and learning new skills can also improve your dopamine levels.

You should also break your tasks down into smaller chunks. This will increase the amount of dopamine each task will give you.


How Do Serotonin And Dopamine Affect Depression?

Low production of serotonin and dopamine has been linked to both depression and anxiety - particularly to the following symptoms:

• Lack of focus
• Lack of energy
• Lack of motivation
• Anger problems
• Bad sleep
• Gut issues
• Feeling hopeless
• Lack of satisfaction with life
  
  

Studies have shown that some people are born with brains that have issues with producing and absorbing both endorphins. However, trauma, pain, and stress can permanently or temporarily affect our brains' ability to process the chemicals too.

Long-term solutions for both problems include medication and therapy.

In day-to-day situations, learning how to kickstart your dopamine and serotonin production can help you cope with many of the symptoms of anxiety and depression.If you are looking for something you can do today, try

• Setting a timer and cleaning for 10 minutes
• Go for a walk
• Listen to a playlist that you love
• Eat a healthy meal
• Be kind to yourself

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