Need A Boost? Here Are 8 Ways To Boost Your Brain's Dopamine Levels

When it comes to the chemicals in your brain that help you feel good about the world, one neurotransmitter takes on particular importance. That neurotransmitter? Dopamine.

And, as it turns out, there are ways to increase dopamine production, which in turn improves your focus, your mood, and your motivation.

Who wouldn’t want that?

So check out these eight tips for boosting your body’s dopamine production, in turn boosting your mood and your productivity:

Skip addictions

While that may seem like a strange piece of advice, studies have shown that addictions of any kind (drugs, sex, shopping, even other seemingly innocuous addictive behaviors such as video games or sugar consumption) can have long-term effects on depressed dopamine production as your body gets used to the artificial quick hits that such addictive behaviors provide. Obviously, this isn’t sustainable.

Knock out small tasks

Finishing tasks, even small ones, can boost dopamine production. As a result, making checklists and notching each item completed can result in small rewards.

Make something

Creating things can often result in a mental state of flow, the result of a hyperfocus on the task at hand—and that hyperfocus is the result of dopamine. Creating something with our own hands or brain can boost dopamine production, so why wouldn’t you want to make something?

Regular exercise

In addition to being great for our physical health, regular exercise boosts the production of neurotransmitters, including serotonin (which makes us feel satisfied) and endorphins (which make us feel joy) in addition to dopamine. Even better? It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise. Studies show that even light walking can result in a dopamine boost.

Increase Tyrosine in your diet

Tyrosine is one of the building blocks for dopamine production, and you get it in your diet. Foods rich in the protein include almonds, avocados, bananas, beef, chicken, chocolate, coffee, eggs, green tea, milk, watermelon, and yogurt.

Add music and meditation to your routine

Both music and meditation are great for boosting dopamine production, and do so in very different ways. Music helps that creative part of your brain engage, whereas meditation helps us step away from the addictive behavior of overthinking, letting our body relax into a more natural state of mindfulness. Other creative behaviors (such as looking at art) and mindful behaviors (such as prayer) can be likewise beneficial.

Consider supplements

Natural supplements can also help boost your production of dopamine by increasing the building blocks available to your body. Some of the better supplements include curcumin (found in curries and turmeric), gingko biloba, l-theanine, and forms of tyrosine.

Cleanse toxins

Flushing toxins out of your body can also be great for dopamine production as it helps reboot our immune and digestive systems. A few tips for helping your body reboot: Get enough sleep, eat plenty of fermented foods (which help reset your gut), and try to limit fatty and sugary foods. You can also do a specific cleanse if so inclined.

Each of these eight actions can help bolster your body’s dopamine production, though, which can have you feeling better and more productive in no time!

*This content was inspired by an amazing article that can be found here.

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