Deficiency of dopamine

[Josh]

I'm considering the possibility that I might have a deficiency of dopamine.

I've always been a bit attention defecit, and have a pattern of feeling down, lacking motivation and not taking pleasure in life.

Not to make it sound terrible, it's a low level thing sometimes and raw paleo is good.

When I have coffee though, it's like night and day.

There are various supplements available like l-tyrosine and SAMe. Before I start messing about with that shit though, I thought I'd see what the raw paleo crowd think and if anyone's experienced this.

[Iguana]

I might have a deficiency of dopamine.

I don’t have the slightest idea about what dopamine is and I don’t care.

I've always been a bit attention defecit, and have a pattern of feeling down, lacking motivation and not taking pleasure in life.

A good love relation would be the solution, I guess.

When I have coffee though, it's like night and day.

What is like night and day? A lack of motivation and not taking pleasure in life? Coffee prevents you to sleep, so you miss motivation at night? 

[Josh]

I had some coffee at the weekend. On Sat night it was meh, I was just awake. Then I woke up the next day with a feeling excitement about life, and naturally able to concentrate and motivate. Then it wore off.

[wodgina]

The human body is very resilient, I would look at what sort of life your leading.

I don't think it was the coffee to big a lag time.

[Josh]

Well I don't see anything majorly wrong in my life. It seems to be a long term pattern that spans times when things have been going well or badly...the attention deficit, lack of motivation etc seem to point to something.

I take your point about it being too long for a direct effect from the coffee, but maybe it was a rebound effect i.e. I produced more to compensate for the comedown.

[Brother]

I'm considering the possibility that I might have a deficiency of dopamine.

If you are otherwise at good health and have no former problems with your liver, I think you should give KAVA (Piper Methysticum) a go. Dont get the tinctures and pills and all that horse. Get some ground root straight from the source and prepare your own. The people who are native to kava are about as paleo as you can get. Ofcourse we have had some influence over them, but there are still tribes there in the basic sense of the word. People who run around buttnaked with spears.

The reason I -once again- reccomend this drug is that trials on rats show that it raises dopamine levels at "120mg/kg" (http://healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu/kava.htm)

When you are looking for kavas. I would look towards those from Tonga and Venuatu. They are not heavily intoxicating and I suspect them to be very low in yangonin and Kawain, but heavy in other kavapyrones. They have a calming effect on the mind and body without being truely sedative. "“it does not seem to impair reaction time or alertness, as do many of the more prevalent medicines being used currently in our world.” (http://www.gnc.com/wellness/natpharm/Herb/Kava.htm)"

My own experience is that its effects are rather permanent and they are good. After a while you dont really need it anymore. I went from drinking quite a bit of it, then less, now I drink a couple "shells" (coconut shell, you wouldnt drink champagne from a mug either) a week, but keep a generally elevated mood and a feeling of well being among others. It makes you want to socialize. perhaps a bit too talkative, but whatever, right? its better than the blues.

[sabertooth]

I have developed a way of life that seems to keep the blues at bay

I use tanning beds, frequent sex, hard work,light stretching and yoga, lots of play time, good paleo nutrition, the occasional toke of marijuana,and high meat: as part of a lifestyle that promotes good vibrations. I also will indulge in a cup of decaf coffee about once a week, and will drink a cup of chamomile tea once in a full moon.

Decaf coffee has other elements in it that promote good mood, as well as blood cleansing, without the strong drug like effect of caffeine, try some good water processed stuff if you are giving up caffeine

[Caveman]

Sorry for saying this so much, but, once again, this is related to your overall hormonal health. Dopamine and testosterone levels tend to go hand in hand. Some fairly intense exercise should be especially good for your dopamine levels, and of course, plenty of good quality rest/sleep. No stress. Are you doing these things? Certain foods can help. I'm sure you already eat meat, but a few other foods that can help seem to be bananas and dairy..

To answer your question you sent me, I indeed have had a severe dopamine deficiency for a long time. When I used to go to a naturopathic doctor who used kinesiology on me, we found I had severely low levels of dopamine. I was told that it seemed I didn't have any at all. I was put on a potent dopamine tincture, but at the time, this did absolutely nothing for me as far as I can remember.

Since using herbal testosterone boosters, my favorite days have been when using Mucuna Pruriens which contains L-Dopamine. So, that really does make sense.

[FoxWoman]

I've always been a bit attention defecit, and have a pattern of feeling down, lacking motivation and not taking pleasure in life.

Seems like your problem is mild depression. AV says that depression can be triggered by 2 things: lack of bacteria and unstable blood sugar. So, the solution is: high meat for bacteria, to be eaten regularly; and cutting down on fruits, with a steady supply of good-quality proteins and fats.

And, I will also agree that sunshine (tanning beds in the winter) and being outside is very important. Besides, I find that sufficient sleep, a lot of "play time" and some regular social activities which you enjoy are pretty useful in combating blues.

FoxWoman

[Josh]

Thanks for the thoughts.

I'm not sure about the testosterone/hormonal angle. I see how they could be 2 sides of a coin, but in some ways it doesn't seem to make sense...like I put on muscle easily at the gym, quite hairy, have a good libido at most times. Maybe T deficiency more subtle than that I don't know.

It just seems like the attention defecit and not really getting excited about stuff is a constant that stays the same whatever else is going on.

Same with the depression angle. Sometimes I feel quite happy, not depressed but I'm still a bit flat.

I dunno I will explore different things and see what sticks. If testosterone herbs sort it out, maybe it's that. If more dopamine things help then it points to that.

[goodsamaritan]

Goal in life?

[Josh]

Goal in life?

Become dictator of the world and subject everyone to a reign of terror..er become self-employed, develop more with art and music, keep improving physique.