The ‘TRUTH’ About Dopamine - The Neuroscience Behind Your Brain's Reward System

In this video, Dr. Sanil Rege, a consultant psychiatrist, sets the record straight on dopamine. You've seen the buzzwords: dopamine hacking, stacking, fasting. But what do they really mean? And why do they often miss the mark?

Dr. Rege breaks down the complexities of dopamine and its role as a crucial neurotransmitter. Forget the oversimplifications; he dives deep into:

1. The Evolution of Dopamine
2. The Discovery of Dopamine's Role in Medicine
3. Common Misunderstandings and the True Role of Dopamine
4. The Risks of Focusing Too Much on Dopamine Optimization
5. How to Improve Well-being Through a Scientific Understanding of Dopamine
6. A Sneak Peek into Narcissism and Dopamine Levels
If you think dopamine is just the "feel-good" button, you're in for a surprise. Dr. Rege explains how this neurotransmitter shapes our behavior, cognition, and activity. He explores the evolutionary journey of dopamine, from motility in ancient organisms to its critical functions in the human brain.

You will also learn about the intricate balance required for optimal dopamine function and why simple hacks don't work. Plus, find out whether individuals with narcissism have low or high dopamine levels.

Join Dr. Rege as he unravels the science behind dopamine, its impact on mental health, and practical ways to enhance your well-being. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to "Psychiatry Simplified" for more insights into the fascinating world of psychiatry and neuroscience.

Stay curious and informed about the latest in mental health. See you in the next video!
#PsychiatrySimplified, #DrSanilRege, #Dopamine, #Neuroscience, #Neurotransmitter, #DopamineOptimization, #RewardPredictionErrors, #EvolutionaryBiology, #BasalGanglia, #PrefrontalCortex, #DopamineReceptors, #Psychopharmacology, #ADHD, #Serotonin, #Glutamate, #GABA, #Noradrenaline, #Cognition, #Activity, #Emotion, #Perception, #Sleep, #DopamineModulation, #Addiction, #RewardDeficitState, #CognitiveFlexibility, #Novelty, #Routines, #DopaminePathways, #MentalHealth, #Narcissism, #WellBeing

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[mea]

So grateful to have found your channel

[Qurlir]

I am grateful for this channel. Your channels is the first time i've felt like the person speaking understands what ADHD is. Also, the approach in which you propose for which ADHD and other conditions should be approached really hits me, because you touch on the intersectionality of these conditions. And the exact phrase that you used in one other video has stuck with me. That it requires a "multi-pronged biopsychosocial, cultural, diet, lifestyle approach" that is so deep and factual, i feel like they should make that into a law on how diagnosis should be made.

Thank for educating and sharing you field of knowledge, I really do appreciate it.

[DennisBolanos]

Dr. Rege—would you consider making a video about “predicting violence in persons with mental illness”? 🎭

[Jules-kprw]

As a person cumulating both the rigidity and perfectionnism associated with autism and the constant reward seeking state of ADHD, this resonates deeply. Finding the balance between 2 seemingly opposite traits is something I struggle tremendously with. Thank you for that video. I keep hoping to find the magic answer even though there isn't such a thing. I feel like a puppet.

[jerryholdcroft]

Dr. Rege, Thank you for another piece of jigsaw, in my understanding of the complex mechanisms of Dopamine, having SSRI induced EB and SD I was fully prepared to simply ask my GP for a dose of Dopamine, in my crude (at the time) understanding of depression I thought the simple release of Dopamine (the happy stuff) would be the answer. I now understand better, the real mechanisms and sequences of the processes involved, modulation is better than optimisation. I agree that the plethora of fixes and potions advertised for Dopamine is a dangerous thing, especially when there is no recognised scientific research to support them and no effective regulation.

[ayeshanabeel]

superb explanation of very complex dopaminergic mechanisms
novelty, unexpected experiences, embracing change can enhance dopamine at D1 receptors
its the essence of life
thanks alot
may God blesss you

[LucidSteve]

Incredible video as all of your others. I cherish every video you post. Kudos.

[Fibonacci]

My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 70, he passed just prior to his 80th.
I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD at 54, I am now 57.
Both my father and I wore/wear glasses for shortsightedness.

[loulouloulou]

Hello, I wondered if you had any thoughts on why I'm so angry after quitting smoking (I'm in my 30's and been nicotine fee for 4 months now). Things are not improving and its really effecting my life. Is it because I have less dopamine now. Many thanks

[imperfekt]

Excellent presentation. In addition to the neurological explanation, I thought the philosophical comments near the end were well chosen.

[BobvanH]

Great presentation! Mind bogglingly complex. Modulating the different states of mind pharmacological must be a very delicate enterprise.

[nickibanks]

So grateful for your content.🤯
The amount of time & variety of ADHD questions I have searched for over the years,
I would have expected YouTubes algorithm to have introduced me to you ages ago.🤔

[func]

Dude your videos are great and awesome, exactly what we need, but i would recommend maybe a different microphone set up thats less agitating since people will unfortunately probably dismiss you with a reflexive reaction to the discordant sound. You say things bluntly and truthfully its precious. Everything else in the production is pretty great.

[MarcelNeculae]

hey Dr. Rege, are you planning on doing a similar video on glutamate (and receptors) and the proposed mecanisms of actions as an antidepressant, as an alternative to SSRIs? 🤔

also, do you know if any such compounds exited human trials and have been proven more effective than SSRI/SNRI for specific conditions?

[Yasen]

Dr Sanil,
Is there a role for thyroid hormone therapy in depressive disorders?

[nivlakhera]

Love it my upcoming book is in alignment with this ❤

[KonstantinShepard]

By dopamine detox, fasting I understand one abstaining from alcohol, smoking, drugs, porn, etc. How do I miss the mark, as you put it?

[ShadowMan]

Dr Rege off topic here sorry but wanted to ask you as I am trying to come off Tramadol 100mgs twice daily due to Australian Drs only being able to prescribe it once a month as of 2020 and you have to go to the GP for this in person. Is Cymbalta a good neuropathic pain killer? My Dr has put me on it at 30mgs going up to 60mgs in a month. Have you heard of people being able to come off Tramadol opioid type drugs by reducing and substituting it with Cymbalta for this sort of pain? Having to go to the Dr once a month every month for a 30 day supply of Tramadol is getting tiresome.

[RajGupta-zi]

Sir will taking 50 MG amitriptylline increase both serotonin and norepinephrine

[gpslayer]

Hi Dr sanil rege. This is first video i have seen from you, i have read something about dopamine in scholar literature. And I had a feeling that these dopamine detox and other advices are wrong. So i was searching for videos like yours. But it did not answered all questions, I would like to know if dopamine can be just depleted by repeated spikes from playing games for example, or it is just some other thing that is depleted. In context of ADHD i would like to know why there is a lack of motivation or why there is a state when it is very hard to work and if in this states has something to do with dopamine and if some strategy from "dopaminic videos" would work though increased ability to produce dopamine or to conserve dopamine.