Dopamine plays a role in a variety of different behaviours. It drives the exchange of information from one brain area to another, it involved in learning and generating new ideas.

Dopamine deficiency is associated with: addiction, depression, bipolar syndrome, lack of motivation, isolation, carbohydrate craving and lack of energy.

Release of dopamine creates feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Many things can simulate the release of extra dopamine including tasty food, sex, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, gambling and other highrisk behaviours such as adrenaline sports can stimulate the release of dopamine and induce a pleasurable euphoric feeling. Basically if something feels good and gives you a rush it probably involves dopamine.

So, comfort eating when your body doesn’t need food may be an attempt to increase low levels of dopamine. Using sex as a pick you up when you feel stressed, low and depressed or in an addictive way can also be a compensation for low dopamine. Although sex addiction may include complex psychology and warrant psychotherapy, improving ones’ dopamine status can help take the edge off the lows that may trigger the behavior.

The effect of drugs especially cocaine on dopamine levels is well researched, and again the combination of psychotherapy and balancing ones dopamine levels is recommended, and may provide the road to recovery some individuals.

Low levels of dopamine can also be involved in depression, particularly the type of depression that includes physical tiredness and lack of motivation.

Parkinson disease is also associated with low dopamine levels, but I have no clinical experience in treating this condition.