Dopamine receptors are receptors in the brain that dopamine binds to in order to exert it’s actions. Low dopamine receptors are implicated in depression, anxiety disorders, Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and insomnia. Modern factors and lifestyle has caused an endemic of downregulated dopamine receptors.
The brain downregulates dopamine receptors in response to large or consistent amounts of dopamine in order to retain homeostasis. Modern factors cause these large amounts of dopamine, contributing to the increasing amounts of depression and anhedonia seen everywhere.
The constant stimulation available and forced upon us has caused a wave of poor attention spans, low motivation, and inability to concentrate.
By increasing dopamine receptors, you can drastically enhance your cognition, and drastically upgrade your life in many aspects. By increasing and restoring your dopamine receptors, you can attain razor-sharp focus, better memory, learning, concentration, skill acquisition, much greater mood, and live like you’re floating on clouds. If you’ve seen the movie Limitless, you’ll know what high (healthy) dopamine receptors and dopamine levels looks like.
To reclaim your dopamine receptors is verily to reclaim your life, and your truer self. Do it for yourself.
1. Avoid Dopamine Receptor Downregulation
The first and most important way to increase and repair dopamine receptors, is to avoid and limit the things that downregulate then. This includes many modern aspects that provide constant and large amounts of stimulation, burning our dopamine receptors and hindering your ability to live the life you want to live. These things are addictions, and have been shown to have the same effect on the brain as cocaine addictions.
Things That Decrease Dopamine Receptors:
- Porn and Masturbation
- Social Media
- Internet Surfing, Scrolling
- Constant Music
- Video Games
- TV
By simply limiting and reducing these things, you can repair your dopamine receptors and avoid burn out, and drastically improve your mood, abilities, and day-to-day life. Remember, you can only go as fast as you go slow.
2. Uridine
Uridine is nucleoside, found in RNA or DNA. Uridine has been shown in two studies to increase dopamine receptors in the brain. It’s popular online for this effect.
Uridine can be taken as a supplement, or it can be found in foods such as eggs, liver, fish, and nutritional yeast.
3. Forskolin
Forskolin, or Coleus Forskohlii, is an herb long used for many different conditions.
Forskolin has been shown to increase dopamine receptors in the brain, as well as increase testosterone, ATP synthesis, and increase androgen receptors, making it an excellent supplement.
4. Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a medicinal fungus that has long been prized in traditional medicines and for improving energy and vigour.
Cordyceps supplementation has been shown to increase dopamine receptors and dopamine levels, and increase testosterone and ATP production.
I recommend RealMushrooms for medicinal mushrooms and fungi, especially Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps.
5. Sunlight
Sunlight is of course essential to health and has innumerable benefits, with dopamine receptors and dopamine being another one.
A study found that sunlight exposure increased D2 and D3 receptor expression in the brain.
Red Light might have similar effects, with research showing red light therapy can significantly improve depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
Get sunlight on your head or shine a red light device on your forehead for big benefits.
6. Caffeine
Caffeine supplementation has been found to not only increase dopamine receptors in the brain, but also increase dopamine, testosterone, androgen receptors, thyroid and metabolism, improve liver health, and increase ATP synthesis.
Coffee, tea, and cacao or dark chocolate are great for caffeine and these benefits.
7. Testosterone & Androgens
Testosterone and androgens “masculinize” the brain, and have been shown to increase dopamine receptors and dopamine synthesis in the brain. Testosterone changes the structure of your brain to be more driven, confident, and focused.
Ways To Increase Testosterone Include:
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Boron
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K2
- Sleep
- Forskolin
- Cordyceps
- Bulbine Natalensis
- Cistanche
- Shilajit
- Sunlight
- Caffeine
- Adequate Protein Intake
8. Inositol
Myo-Inositol was found to increase dopamine receptors in one study, and other studies have found Inositol to be beneficial for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and OCD.
9. CDP-Choline
CDP-Choline increased dopamine receptors in one study, and choline has been found to have many benefits on memory, concentration, and cognition.
Choline can be taken as a supplement, or it can be found in liver, egg yolks, and fatty-fish.
10. Sulbutiamine
Sulbutiamine is a potent form of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) that restores intracellular levels of Thiamine more potently than other Thiamine supplements.
Sulbutiamine was found to increase dopamine receptors in one study, but other forms of thiamine can likely be used. Foods high in thiamine, such as liver or nutritional yeast, would also likely be beneficial.
11. BDNF
BDNF, or Brain-Derived Neurotophic Factor, is a neurotrophin involved in neurogenesis and neuroplasticty. Increasing BDNF increases dopamine, improves mood, and improved the growth and survival of dopamine receptors, especially from stress and oxidative stress.
Apex of Men 