low dopamine slows metabolism and affects mood and energy in smoking cessation
WHY YOU NEED DOPAMINE WHEN YOU QUIT SMOKING
skip to: metabolism | red blood cells | gut flora | dopamine | thyroid | detox | vitamin + mineral deficiencies
Known as the pleasure and rewards neurotransmitter, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, energy and metabolism and when levels are normal you feel good. When dopamine levels are low, you may experience health and mood issues to include fatigue, ADD, anxiety, depression, weight gain, slow metabolism - all of which sound just like quit smoking withdrawal symptoms.
Smoking (and other addictions) are acknowledged as a cause of low dopamine levels.
When we quit smoking
The dopamine we were receiving as as smokers drops
Dopamine stores have been depleted, and
To release new dopamine we need create new pathways and repair the old ones
In order words, it takes time for our body to start producing dopamine on its own again after quitting so this where supplements can be helpful in making it through the first few months. Maintaining dopamine levels with supplementation may also reduce fatigue and support healthy metabolism and gut flora restoration during cessation.
This study suggests that the capacity of smokers to produce dopamine is reduced by 15-20% in smokers, but that capacity returns to normal 90 days after cessation without supplementation. ( 1 )
If you look at the long list of problems caused by low dopamine levels, they almost exactly mirror the withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. Low dopamine can result in lower energy levels, slower metabolism, anxiety, depression. ( 2 3 )
In order to produce dopamine, your body needs the following nutrients. Since most of these provide energy and can cause insomnia I take them in the morning (after coffee) and in the afternoon following lunch, stopping at 3pm.