Dopamine (DA)

Dopamine (DA) is an organic chemical belonging to the catecholamine and phenethylamine families. It functions primarily as a neurotransmitter in the brain but also acts as a hormone in peripheral tissues. Dopamine transmits signals between nerve cells, influencing numerous physiological processes including movement, motivation, reward, mood regulation, attention, learning, memory, sleep-wake cycles, and executive function. Imbalances or dysfunctions within dopaminergic systems are implicated in several conditions including Parkinson’s disease, Schizophrenia, Addiction/Substance Use Disorders, Depression, and ADHD.

Other names

3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine

Dopamine itself is not a drug but rather a neurotransmitter. Drugs that target the dopaminergic system can act as agonists (e.g., L-DOPA, dopamine receptor agonists) to increase dopamine signaling, or as antagonists (e.g., antipsychotics) to decrease dopamine signaling. Other drugs may affect dopamine reuptake (e.g., stimulants) or release.