What is the Impact of CBD on Dopamine in the Body?
11 April 2024CBD is a compound that can influence various processes through the ECS, and this includes the regulation of dopamine release. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects your memory, motivation, and mood. It plays a significant role in how you feel. In this blog, you will learn more about how CBD oil can affect neurotransmitters like this feel-good hormone.
What is dopamine?
Dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters in the body. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that can transmit messages to cells. They are present in the brain, the central nervous system, and throughout the body via the peripheral nervous system. Dopamine’s role includes maintaining the balance of the reward system.
The neurotransmitter is produced in the brain by nerve cells and plays a role in many bodily functions such as memory, sleep, concentration, and motivation. It sends messages from the brain to the body. Dopamine is also known as the feel-good hormone or the motivation molecule. And that makes sense. When dopamine levels rise, your mood also improves. CBD may help maintain dopamine levels.
Dopamine is released in your body in response to physical and mental stimuli. The ability to feel pleasure, satisfaction, and enjoyment comes from this chemical. Your body also uses it to reward you for certain positive actions. Think of the sense of accomplishment you feel when you complete your homework or finish a puzzle. But it is also released when you cuddle with your partner, have a great workout, or smell freshly baked cookies.
Dopamine plays a role in:
- Sleep rhythm
- Reward
- Memory and focus
- Mood
- Processing pain signals
- Learning, planning, productivity
- Behavior for which you are rewarded
- Motivation
It also plays a role in some physical functions, such as promoting the excretion of salts and urine, dilating or narrowing blood vessels, slowing digestion, and regulating the fight-or-flight response.
What do you notice if your dopamine levels are low?
Dopamine is the substance your body uses as a reward, so you feel good when you perform a task. You feel satisfied when you eat something tasty or solve a puzzle. If your dopamine levels are too low, these types of tasks may suddenly become less appealing because you do not get that feeling of satisfaction afterward. Therefore, when your dopamine levels are too low, you feel less motivated and have less interest in activities. You notice that the color drains from life.
Lower dopamine concentrations have also been linked to mental disorders, such as depression. The cause of low dopamine levels can be physical or mental conditions or drug use.
What is the Influence of CBD on Dopamine?
CBD oil is widely used today to benefit from the anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and calming properties of CBD. But can CBD also influence dopamine in the body? CBD does not directly affect the production of this neurotransmitter. However, it can affect how your brain responds to the dopamine already present in your body. It influences the regulation of the neurotransmitter, how it is absorbed, and transported, according to research.
As a result, CBD can ensure that more dopamine is produced, replenishing levels in the brain. But the exact role of CBD and its effect on dopamine levels is not yet clear. Research into this is still in its early stages. However, there appears to be a relationship between the activity of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and dopamine levels in the body. And CBD works closely with the ECS.
CBD, the ECS, and Dopamine
The ECS consists of a network of receptors and normally functions with the help of endocannabinoids. These are the cannabinoids that your body produces itself. But CBD can also interact with the ECS. This system’s task is to keep the body and all its processes in balance. The cannabinoids connect with cell receptors, mainly the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These are closely involved in the regulation of dopamine.
The ECS can adjust the activity of dopamine receptors with the help of CBD, thus influencing the release of this neurotransmitter. Besides dopamine, CBD can also adjust the production of anandamide. This is an endocannabinoid, which in turn is involved in the regulation of dopamine and serotonin. It is also known as the bliss hormone. When levels of anandamide rise, this activates the CB1 receptors, which trigger the release of dopamine.
CBD for Mood and Motivation
Due to its influence on various neurotransmitters and endocannabinoids, CBD can have a clear effect on your mood and motivation. While we do not yet know everything about how CBD can influence these neurotransmitters, interest in the effects of this natural substance is significant. Scientists believe that CBD could be used for emotional and cognitive complaints, such as depression, PTSD, OCD, panic attacks, and schizophrenia.
If you are interested in using CBD, go for quality. All of SupMedi’s CBD products are high quality and the production process is strictly controlled. You also have a lot of choices, from CBD oil to CBD tablets or CBD food and drinks. CBD is safe and suitable for daily use.
