By: Robert A. Schinetsky

 Neurotransmitters, nootropics, and all things neurohacking are a hot topic these days as we seek to enhance and elevate our cognitive function and productivity, all while trying to stave off cognitive decline. This surge in all things “neuro” related has been prompted by our increased understanding of the human brain and a fervert frenzy to find ways to “hack” anything and everything about our lives.

 Amidst this talk of increasing productivity and brain function, you’ve no doubt heard about something called dopamine and that it plays a pivotal role in your ability to get things done. But, what is dopamine, why is having it good, and more importantly, how do you get more dopamine?

 We’ve got all that answered ahead, along with the best dopamine activating supplements you can find.

What is Dopamine and What Does It Do?

 Dopamine is one of your body’s primary “happy” neurotransmitters that’s heavily involved in motivation and reward. It gives your body the “kickstart” it needs to pursue an objective and then imbues you with a surge of satisfaction when you’ve met your objective.

 But that’s not all dopamine does. It’s also serves many other important roles in the body impacting memory, learning, attention, creativity, movement, mood, and even sleep.[1,2] Plus, recent research has even indicated that dopamine can play a pivotal role in how we make decisions, which can impact our chance to be successful in work and life.[3]

 Basically, dopamine can help you be more awesome at just about anything you want to do, physically or mentally. Without dopamine, you’d frankly be quite un-human, as it affects how we perceive and interact with each other and our environment.

 So, how do you increase dopamine?

Ways to Increase Dopamine

 There’s no shortage of ways to increase dopamine, both through lifestyle changes as well as dietary supplements. Let’s first discuss the little things you can do each day to boost dopamine production in the body, and then we’ll get to the best dopamine activating supplements.

 First up, and one of the easiest ways to increase dopamine is by eating a diet high in protein. Dopamine is synthesized in the body from Tyrosine, one of the nine essential amino acids your body needs to build proteins. By consuming complete protein sources (beef, chicken, pork, etc.), you’re providing your body with the “building blocks” in needs to generate dopamine.

 Second is exercise. Research has shown that exercise increases dopamine.[4,5] Steady-state, high intensity interval training, or heavy resistance training -- it all helps boost dopamine. So in addition to getting fit and burning fat, you’re also improving your cognitive function and mood!

 A third way to increase dopamine is by listening to or performing music. Various studies have noted that the brain releases dopamine when listening to pleasurable music.[6,7]

 A fourth and final way to naturally boost dopamine levels is through restorative practices, such as yoga or meditation.[8,9] Even getting a massage has been noted to increase dopamine release in the body!

 Now, let’s take a look at some of the best supplements for increasing dopamine.

Best Dopamine Activators

Caffeine

 Of all the substances (legal substances, that is) capable of boosting dopamine levels, none are more powerful than caffeine.

 Widely reputed for its ability to ignite energy levels, motivation, and mood, caffeine is the consummate dopamine activator. It’s available damn near everywhere you look these days from pre workout to energy drinks to peanut butter and even protein powder! In fact, caffeine’s performance-enhancing effects are in large part due to its ability to stimulate release of dopamine.

 Caffeine increases alertness and energy by blocking (antagonizing) adenosine receptors while also causing an increase in dopamine, noradrenaline, and glutamate.[10] Additional research has noted that caffeine also may upregulate availability and affinity of dopamine receptor D2 and D3.[11] And still other research notes that caffeine supports higher dopamine concentration in regions of the brain associated with attention.[12]

 As powerful as caffeine is when it comes to prompting dopamine release in the body, it’s also important that your brain has the “raw materials” it needs to synthesize dopamine, and that’s where our next great dopamine boosting supplement comes in...

Tyrosine

 We mentioned the importance of tyrosine in the production of dopamine above when discussing diet, but that’s not the only way you can get tyrosine. You can also supplement with free form tyrosine.

Studies have noted that tyrosine supplementation increases dopamine levels in the brain.[13] Moreover, additional research has documented that tyrosine supplementation significantly enhances cognitive performance, particularly during acute stressful or cognitively demanding scenarios when dopamine can be temporarily depleted.[13,14]

Velvet Bean (a.k.a. Mucuna Pruriens)

 Velvet bean is a tropical legume native to Asia and Africa that is loaded with a compound known as L-Dopa.

 In case you weren’t aware, L-Dopa is the direct precursor to dopamine production in the brain[15], and studies have noted that supplementing with L-Dopa helps boost dwindling dopamine levels.[15,16] In fact, L-Dopa is such a potent dopamine activating ingredient, researchers have even begun to explore its use as a possible treatment for Parkinson's disease, which is caused by declining dopamine levels. 

Theacrine

 Up next is another powerful dopaminergic compound as well as a close cousin of caffeine.

 The ingredient we’re referring to is none other than theacrine.

 Chemically similar to caffeine, theacrine is a methyluric acid derived from kucha that stimulates release of dopamine similar to caffeine[17], but does so in a much “smoother” manner than that of caffeine.

 Additionally, research has noted that theacrine does NOT come with the tolerance build up of caffeine, which is a very good thing, if you’re wanting to use the compound frequently to increase dopamine levels.

 On its own, theacrine is a pretty solid option for boosting dopamine, but it really shines when combined with caffeine, as research indicates there’s some synergism between the two compounds.[18] Combining the two can lead to greater concentration, awareness and motivation which bodes well for better productivity and performance.

Folic Acid

 Finally, we have folic acid, which may be the most underrated dopamine activating supplement around. Folic acid is a highly bioavailable form of vitamin B9, which is often used to combat feelings of sluggishness or depression.

 Where folic acid enters the dopamine production equation is that it is required for the production of an important cofactor needed for the synthesis of dopamine, BH4.[19]

 Research has noted that low folic acid levels are associated with reduced dopamine levels, which themselves are linked to depression. As such, it makes sense that by increasing folic acid, we’re providing more of the “supporting cast” that’s needed to create dopamine.

 This is similar in a way to consuming more tyrosine, in that you’re giving your body all of the essential raw materials it needs for optimal dopamine production. WIth greater amounts of the primary substrate (i.e. tyrosine) along with ample supply of the rate-limiting enzyme that regulates dopamine production (i.e. BH4), you have everything you need for free-flowing dopamine.

 Now, it can be rather time consuming, laborious, and expensive to source each of these ingredients, then combine them all at the right doses to maximize dopamine production.

 Fortunately, we’ve done all the hard work for those of you looking to boost productivity and performance with Dopa Rush!

Dopa Rush -- Dynamite Dopamine Activator

 Dopa Rush is the premier dopamine activating supplement on the market that helps you get more done no matter how tired, frustrated, or “foggy” you may be. Using a synergistic combination of powerful dopamine activating supplements including caffeine, theacrine, tyrosine, velvet bean, and folic acid, Dopa Rush takes a holistic approach to maximizing dopamine production in the body.

 Grab your bottle today and see how boosting your dopamine levels can ignite your creativity, fuel your passion, and help you get the job done rain or shine.

References

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