By Mac E. Lancaster, BS, and Ran D. Anbar, MD.

Dopamine release activates the brain’s reward pathways, where feelings of pleasure derived from completing tasks play a significant role in motivation. Dopaminergic activities refer to actions or substances that increase activity in this system (Marques et al., 2021).

By learning about dopamine, its regulation, and its function, you can incorporate positive activities that help increase your overall dopamine levels and associated pleasure.

Dopamine played a major role in our evolution as a species (Previc, 1999). It is involved in seeking, evaluating, and learning based on rewarding stimuli (Bromberg-Martin et al., 2010). When we interact with a new or rewarding stimulus, dopamine is released, and subsequent feelings of euphoria increase our desire to engage in that stimulus again.

Humans have reportedly high levels of dopamine compared to other animals, strengthening our pattern-seeking behavior and responsiveness to reward (Barron et al., 2010).

Natural behaviors such as reproducing and eating, in particular sweet-tasting foods, are highly associated with dopamine release (Cannon & Palmiter, 2003). The human bias toward sweets is an evolutionary trait given that sweeter foods contain more calories, which was beneficial in the past. However, this bias is no longer helpful today when food is overabundant.

Humans grow tolerant to repeated dopaminergic activity and need more to keep up the previous enjoyment achieved. For example, enjoying your favorite treat every day would diminish the euphoria you normally feel when eating it more moderately (Volkow et al., 2011).

Supernormal stimuli include manufactured products meant to elicit a stronger response in reward pathways compared to naturally occurring stimuli, similar to drugs of abuse (Goodwin et al., 2015).

By hijacking the reward response originally intended for natural rewards, supernormal stimuli such as processed food, pornography, or social media interactions lead to excessive consumption and, in certain instances, addiction (Goodwin et al., 2015).

As supernormal stimuli become increasingly prevalent, it is important to redirect attention toward activities that can positively benefit you while simultaneously providing a healthy outlet for dopaminergic drive.

Exercise. This is one of the most universally applicable examples of a healthy and pro-dopaminergic action (Marques et al., 2021). One study found that exercise can increase dopamine release throughout the reward system, leading to enduring benefits such as improved mood and alleviation of symptoms in individuals with........

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