12 Dopamine Supplements to Boost Your Mood

Dopamine is an important ingredient for the brain that helps the body increase feelings of excitement, stimulation, thinking and activity. Therefore, you should choose functional products that help increase dopamine to improve mental health.

Probiotics are microorganisms that live along the digestive tract, which work to help balance the intestinal tract. Not only is it beneficial for gut health, but it can also prevent or treat various health problems, including emotional disorders. That's because beneficial bacteria in your gut increase the production of dopamine, which improves your mood. In addition, one study in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) found that those given a probiotic supplement experienced a greater reduction in depressive symptoms than those taking a placebo.
You can get probiotics through yogurt, kefir and other fermented foods.

Wildcat bean is a tropical bean that is native to parts of Africa, India and South China. They are processed into a dry powder and sold as a dopamine supplement.
The most important compound found in wild peas is an amino acid called levodopa (L-dopa). L-dopa is essential for the brain to produce dopamine. Wild cat beans are an important food for people with Parkinson's disease and nervous system disorders because they help increase dopamine levels in the body. Its effectiveness is comparable to some drugs for Parkinson's disease.
Wild peas may also help increase dopamine levels in people without Parkinson's disease. For example, one study found that taking 5 grams of wild mung bean powder for 3 months increased dopamine levels in infertile men. Another study showed that Mucuna pruriens had anti-depressant, mood-enhancing, and anti-depressant effects in rats through an increase in dopamine production.

Ginkgo is a plant native to China that has been used for hundreds of years as a remedy for various ailments. It's improved mood, mental performance, and brain function in some people.
Some studies have found that the dopamine supplement found in ginkgo helps increase dopamine levels in rats if used for a long time. Specifically, it helps to improve cognitive function, memory and motivation. One test-tube study found that ginkgo extract helped increase dopamine secretion by reducing oxidative stress.
Preliminary animal and test-tube studies have shown very promising results. However, more research is needed before scientists can determine whether ginkgo increases dopamine levels in humans.

Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin comes in capsule, tea, extract and powder form. It has antidepressant effects because it increases the release of dopamine. Research has shown that taking 1 gram of curcumin has the same effect as Prozac in improving mood in people with major depressive disorder (MDD). There is also evidence that curcumin increases dopamine levels in rats.
However, more research is needed to understand the role of curcumin in increasing dopamine levels in humans and its use in improving mood and managing depression.

Oregano essential oil is a functional dopamine supplement because it contains carvacrol - an active ingredient with many antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
One study showed that carvacrol helped promote dopamine production and as a result had antidepressant effects in rats. Another study in rats showed that a dopamine supplement extracted from oregano essential oil inhibited dopamine depletion and stimulated positive behavior.
While animal studies have shown many positive results, are human studies also being done to determine if they are showing similar effects?

Magnesium plays an important role in keeping the body and mind healthy.
There is evidence that magnesium deficiency can contribute to increased dopamine levels and reduced risk of depression. Furthermore, one study showed that magnesium supplementation increased dopamine levels and produced antidepressant effects in rats.
Currently, research on the effects of magnesium on increasing dopamine levels is limited to animal studies. However, if the diet lacks magnesium, you should also supplement with functional foods to meet the basic needs of the body.

Green tea has antioxidant properties and is rich in nutrients. It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which boosts several neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine.
Many studies have shown that L-theanine increases dopamine production, which in turn has antidepressant effects and enhances cognitive function. In addition, studies have shown that drinking green tea or using green tea as a supplement both increases dopamine production and reduces the risk of depression.

Vitamin D has many roles in the body, including regulating certain neurotransmitters like dopamine.
One study found that dopamine levels were reduced in vitamin D-deficient mice and increased with vitamin D3 supplementation. Because studies are limited, it's difficult to say for sure if vitamin D supplements help increase dopamine levels.
Preliminary animal studies show promising results, but additional human studies are needed to better understand the relationship between vitamin D and dopamine in humans.

Fish oil supplements mainly through two types of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Many studies have found that fish oil has anti-depressant and mood-enhancing effects when used regularly.
The reason for this benefit is because fish oil has an impact on dopamine levels. A study in rats showed that a diet rich in fish oil increased dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex by 40% and increased dopamine binding.
However, more research is still needed, especially on the human body, to draw firm conclusions about the benefits that fish oil can provide.

Caffeine may increase cognitive performance, including by enhancing the release of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. Caffeine improves brain function by increasing dopamine levels in the brain.
However, the human body has a tolerance to caffeine, the more you consume it means you will need to increase the caffeine content higher first to get the same satisfaction.

Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times. Its roots can be eaten raw or steamed, or in other forms as tea, capsules or pills.
Studies have shown that ginseng can enhance brain functions, including mood, behavior, and memory. Numerous animal and test-tube studies indicate that these benefits may be due to ginseng being able to increase dopamine levels.
Certain components in ginseng, such as ginsenosides, are responsible for increasing dopamine in the brain and for its beneficial effects on mental health, including cognitive function and attention.
A study on the effects of Korean red ginseng on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children observed that low dopamine levels were associated with symptoms of ADHD.
The children participating in the study received 2,000 mg of Korean red ginseng daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, the results showed that ginseng improved attention in children with ADHD.
However, further studies are needed to draw firm conclusions about the extent to which ginseng can help boost dopamine production and brain function in humans.

Berberine is extracted from a number of plants and herbs. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years and has recently gained popularity as a natural dopamine supplement.
Some animal studies show that berberine increases dopamine levels and may help fight depression and anxiety. Currently, there are no studies on the effects of berberine supplementation on dopamine in humans. Therefore, more research is needed before definite conclusions can be drawn.

You should consult your doctor before supplementing with any kind of supplement. Especially if you are sick or taking medication.
In general, the side effects associated with the use of the above functional products are relatively low. Dosage is printed on the product packaging. You should read and drink according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Side effects when taking supplements often occur in the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhea, nausea or stomach pain. Headache, dizziness, and heart palpitations have also been reported with certain supplements, including ginkgo, ginseng, and caffeine.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.
Reference source: healthline.com