07/05/2026
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dopamine-the-pathway-to-pleasure
Dopamine is most notably involved in helping us feel pleasure as part of the brain's reward system. S*x, shopping, smelling cookies baking in the oven — all these things can trigger dopamine release, or a "dopamine rush."
This feel-good neurotransmitter is also involved in reinforcement. That's why, once we try one of those cookies, we might come back for another one (or two, or three). The darker side of dopamine is the intense feeling of reward people feel when they take drugs, such as he**in or co***ne, which can lead to addiction.
Because dopamine is made from tyrosine, getting more of this amino acid from food could potentially boost dopamine levels in your brain. Some research suggests that a diet rich in tyrosine also may improve memory and mental performance.
Foods high in tyrosine include:
chicken and other types of poultry
dairy foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
avocadoes
bananas
pumpkin and sesame seeds
soy.
There is also some evidence that the brain releases more dopamine when we meditate. The change in consciousness that occurs during meditation may trigger its release.
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