Neurotransmitters are chemical signaling molecules that pass information from one neuron in the brain to the next.

Dopamine is one of many neurotransmitters and it plays a key role in the internal brain reward system that drives learning of motivated behavior. It provides a positive reinforcement of behaviors that lead to rewards, which causes you to repeat them. On the flip side, if a particular action fails to produce the expected positive effect or is followed by an unpleasant event, dopamine release decreases sharply, leading to frustration and an unwillingness to repeat the behavior in question.                      

In other words, it's a signaling feedback for predicted rewards.

That's great if you're trying to learn something new...not so great if you have a drinking problem. As with all things, balance is key. Not enough dopamine can lead to a lack of desire or drive, lethargy, procrastination, low libido, and feelings of apathy and hopelessness. Too much can lead to addictions, paranoia, and other behavioral disorders.

Some call dopamine "the motivation molecule" or "the pleasure molecule," and it is...but it's also so much more. In addition to addictive behaviors, motivation, and attention, dopamine also plays a role in movement (like your eyes moving down this page or your fingers scrolling the mouse,) the production of breast milk, Parkinson's disease, psychosis, heart function, and more.

Dopamine is also especially relevant during our teen years, because there's an increase in the number of brain circuits that use dopamine. This leads to the familiar teenage behaviors of impulsiveness (all gas pedal, no brakes,) hyper-rationality (literal thinking only, no big picture,) and of course - addictions (hello, Snapchat, video games, and binge drinking.) There's a lot of calculation of benefits and very little calculation of risk. However, it's critical to use this knowledge to help cultivate the positive aspects of these behaviors to nurture and guide teens into adulthood, rather than just write them off as immature annoyances to have to slog through for a few years.

If you struggle with following through on things - like say, a program to help you build better health - perhaps you need a little dopamine boost to help motivate you. Today's video can help you with that. Enjoy!