Dopamine is involved in movement, coordination, and feelings of pleasure and reward. Serotonin is involved in emotions, but it also affects digestion and metabolism.
Dopamine and serotonin are chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, that help regulate many bodily functions.
People sometimes refer to dopamine and serotonin as the “happy hormones” due to the roles they play in regulating mood and emotion.
They are also involved in several mental health conditions, including low mood and depression.
Dopamine and serotonin are involved in similar bodily processes, but they operate differently. Imbalances of these chemicals can cause different medical conditions that require different treatments.
This article looks at the differences and similarities between dopamine and serotonin, their relationship, and their links with medical conditions and overall health.
Neurons in the brain release dopamine, which carries signals between neurons.
The body uses dopamine to create chemicals called norepinephrine and epinephrine.
Dopamine plays an integral role in the reward system, a group of brain processes that control motivation, desire, and cravings.
Dopamine levels also influence the following bodily functions:
- mood
- sleep
- learning
- movement
- alertness
- blood flow
- urine output
Serotonin is another neurotransmitter present in the brain.
However, roughly
In addition to aiding digestion, serotonin is involved in regulating:
- the sleep-wake cycle
- mood and emotions
- metabolism and appetite
- cognition and concentration
- hormonal activity
- body temperature
- blood clotting
Although both dopamine and serotonin relay messages between neurons and affect mood and concentration, they have some other distinct functions.
Dopamine, for example, relays signals between neurons that control body movements and coordination.
This neurotransmitter also
Higher levels of dopamine can lead to feelings of euphoria, bliss, and enhanced motivation and concentration. Therefore, exposure to substances and activities that increase dopamine can become addictive to some individuals.
Like dopamine, serotonin can influence people’s moods and emotions, but it also
Both dopamine and serotonin are neurotransmitters with positive associations.
They are also neuromodulators, meaning that, unlike other neurotransmitters, they are
As neuromodulators, dopamine and serotonin also send signals that last longer than the signals of other neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters do not act independently. They interact with and affect each other to maintain a careful chemical balance within the body. There are strong links between the serotonin and dopamine systems, both structurally and in function.
Having abnormal levels of either dopamine or serotonin can lead to several different medical conditions.
Both neurotransmitters can affect mood disorders, such as depression. Imbalances can also result in distinct conditions that affect different bodily functions.
The following sections cover these conditions in more detail.
Dopamine
Dopamine deficiency may play a significant role in the following conditions and symptoms:
Dopamine also plays a role in motivation and reward-driven behaviors.
The
A medical condition that health experts call dopamine transporter deficiency syndrome or infantile parkinsonism-dystonia occurs when mutations in the SLC6A3 gene affect how the dopamine transporter proteins function.
Dopamine transporter deficiency syndrome disrupts dopamine signaling, which impacts the body’s ability to regulate movement.
For this reason, dopamine transporter deficiency syndrome produces symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease,
- tremors, spasms, and cramps in the muscles
- difficulty eating, swallowing, speaking, and moving
- impaired coordination and dexterity
- involuntary or unusual eye movements
- decreased facial expression, or hypomimia
- difficulty sleeping
- frequent pneumonia infections
- digestive issues, such as acid reflux and constipation
Read on to learn more about dopamine and Parkinson’s disease.
Serotonin
Having too much serotonin can lead to a potentially life threatening medical condition called serotonin syndrome or serotonin toxicity.
This condition can occur after taking too much of a serotonergic medication or taking multiple serotonergic medications at the same time.
Aside from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), other serotonergic medications
- serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine
- tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine and imipramine
- certain migraine medications, including almotriptan and rizatriptan
Dopamine and serotonin both affect the sleep-wake cycle. This cycle is regulated by the brain’s pineal gland, which has receptors for both neurotransmitters.
In response to light and darkness signals from the eyes, the pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin, which causes sleepiness.
Dopamine decreases the production of norepinephrine and thus has a significant impact on wakefulness, according to
In a
Serotonin promotes wakefulness as well as sleepiness. A person needs serotonin to produce melatonin. However, serotonin also suppresses REM sleep, which may lead to sleep disorders.
Most of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut. Serotonin stimulates the small intestine to perform contractions that move food through the digestive tract.
More serotonin is released when a person digests something to which they have an allergic reaction or that contains harmful bacteria. This causes faster contractions, which may result in diarrhea or vomiting.
Conversely, constipation may occur due to a low level of serotonin in the gut.
Like serotonin, dopamine helps move food through the digestive tract. It also helps control the production of insulin in the pancreas, and it protects the gut’s mucosal lining, which may prevent peptic ulcers.
Both dopamine and serotonin can impact mental health and mental well-being.
Dopamine
Although dopamine alone may not directly cause depression, having low levels of dopamine
These symptoms can include:
- lack of motivation
- difficulty concentrating
- feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
- loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
Serotonin
While researchers are still unsure of the exact role of serotonin and mental health, some evidence associates low levels of serotonin with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Low levels of serotonin may relate to mood disorders in some cases, although multiple factors beyond biochemistry also contribute, such as:
- genetics and family history
- lifestyle and stress levels
- environment
- additional medical conditions
Having low serotonin levels may increase a person’s risk of developing depression. Serotonin medications — such as SSRIs, which increase the availability of serotonin in the brain — may help treat depression.
SSRI medications
The optimal range for serotonin in the blood is generally 50–220 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
The optimal range for dopamine in the blood is generally less than 30 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).
Having too much or too little dopamine and serotonin can impair communication between neurons. This may lead to the development of physical and mental health conditions.
For instance, a low level of dopamine can cause symptoms associated with depression. A high level of serotonin can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially life threatening condition.
Below, we answer some common questions regarding dopamine and serotonin.
Do dopamine and serotonin make a person happy?
People often call dopamine and serotonin the “happy hormones,” because they promote mental well-being.
Dopamine, also known as the “feel-good” hormone, is associated with the brain’s reward system and produces pleasant sensations.
Serotonin can help increase happiness by alleviating depression and anxiety.
What are the 4 happy hormones?
In addition to dopamine and serotonin, people may also refer to endorphins and oxytocin as feel-good hormones. Endorphins can help to increase feelings of wellbeing. Oxytocin is known as the love hormone and relates to relationship-building.
Can dopamine and serotonin also cause depression?
Dopamine and serotonin themselves may not directly cause depression. However,
A dopamine imbalance can cause depression symptoms, such as apathy and feelings of hopelessness, while a serotonin imbalance can affect the processing of emotions.
How can a person increase dopamine and serotonin?
A person can raise dopamine and serotonin levels with medications such as antidepressants.
To naturally boost dopamine and serotonin levels, eat a balanced diet with foods containing tryptophan, the protein that produces these neurotransmitters.
Tryptophan-rich foods include almonds, chicken, eggs, and spinach.
Other ways to increase dopamine and serotonin levels can include exercising, meditating, getting enough sleep, and engaging in enjoyable activities.
The neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin regulate similar bodily functions but produce different effects.
Dopamine regulates mood and muscle movement and plays a vital role in the brain’s pleasure and reward systems.
The body stores the majority of serotonin in the gut. Serotonin helps regulate mood, body temperature, and appetite.
Having too much or too little of either neurotransmitter can cause psychological and physical symptoms.