Stained Glass Molecule – Dopamine (Pleasure, Love, Reward)

Description

Dopamine (contracted from 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) is an organic chemical of the catecholamine and phenethylamine families that plays several important roles in the brain and body. The brain includes several distinct dopamine pathways, one of which plays a major role in reward-motivated behaviour. Most types of reward increase the level of dopamine in the brain. It is released by the brain when we feel good, for instance, by the influence of a good food or reading a fascinating book. It also makes people more “talkative” and excitable. It affects brain processes that control emotional response, movement, ability to express pleasure, providing feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate a person proactively to perform certain activities.

Additional information