Is dopamine an organic molecule?

October 26, 2024

Is dopamine an organic molecule?

Yes, dopamine is an organic molecule. Life on Earth is an incredibly complex cellular network built on the interplay between organic molecules. We believe that the complexity derives from the fact that the process relies on evolution and natural selection without any smart design. That is a topic for another day. In this post, we simply build a rough primer to serve as foundation for more learning. We touch briefly on organic molecules, cells, neurons, neurotransmitters, and dopamine. Read it as a refresher.

Part I. Organic Molecules

Organic molecules are compounds primarily made up of carbon (H) bonded to other elements, most commonly hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S). These CHON-PS compounds form the basis of life as we know it on Earth. 

Carbon Backbone

Organic molecules are distinguished by the presence of carbon-carbon (C-C) or carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. The defining feature of organic molecules is their carbon backbone. Carbon atoms can form up to four covalent bonds, allowing for a variety of complex structures, including chains, rings, and branching molecules. The versatility of carbon allows organic molecules to form a wide variety of structures, contributing to the complexity and diversity of life. 

Organic molecules form the basic structures and functions of cells.Organic molecules come in various shapes and sizes, from small and simple molecules like methane (CH₄) to large and complex macromolecules like DNA.  They make up proteins, DNA, cell membranes, and energy molecules (like ATP). Organic molecules are metabolized into energy for cells.There are four main classes of organic molecules that are crucial to life on Earth: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (RNA and DNA).

• Carbohydrates: Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (typically in a 1:2:1 ratio) serve as energy sources and structural components. Examples: Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), starch, cellulose.

• Lipids: Mainly composed of carbon and hydrogen with fewer oxygen atoms. Hydrophobic (insoluble in water) and function in energy storage, insulation, and as components of cell membranes. Examples: Fats, oils, phospholipids, steroids.

• Proteins: Composed of amino acids, which contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur. Perform a wide range of functions including enzymes, structural support, signaling, and transport. Examples: Enzymes, hemoglobin, keratin.

• Nucleic Acids: Composed of nucleotides made of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base. Serve as electromagnetic templates for the assembly of proteins. Examples: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

In conclusion, organic molecules are carbon-based compounds that are essential to life as we know it on Earth. Organic molecules form the structural and functional components of cells, play roles in energy storage and transfer, and are involved in all biological processes. Their diversity and complexity arise from the versatile bonding properties of carbon, allowing life to exist in its many forms on Earth.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Part II. Cells

Cells are the basic unit of biological life on Earth. All living organisms on Earth are made up of one or more cells. A human being, for example, is a complex network of about 37 trillions of cells (males may have about 36 trillion cells and women may have about 38 trillion cells).

Cells are complex machines that carry out the functions that generate the dynamic phenomena known as life, such as energy metabolism, homeostasis, growth, and reproduction. Cells are primarily composed of organic molecules, meaning molecules that contain carbon and are typically associated with living organisms. The main organic molecules found in cells are proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), carbohydrates, and lipids. 

Cellular Size

Cells in the human body are measured in micrometers. A micrometer is 1,000 nanometers. Cellular components (DNA, organelles, proteins, etc) are measured in nanometers. The smallest cell in the human body is the sperm produced by males, which is 4 micrometers in size. The largest cell is the ovum or egg produced by females, which is about 80 micrometers in size (20 times larger than the sperm).

Cellular Components

Every cell is enclosed by a membrane (the cell membrane or plasma membrane). This membrane is what encapsulates DNA, RNA, and organelles and what allows the cell to be its own micro environment interacting with external environmental stimuli. The membrane protects the internal components of the cell and controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell, maintaining a stable internal environment (homeostasis). 

Inside every cell there is a jelly-like substance called the cytoplasm, which contains all the organelles (the specialized structures that perform various functions within the cell). All cells contain DNA that serves as an electromagnetic template for the assembly of proteins, the building blocks of cells. In most cells, DNA is located in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells (cells with a nucleus); it is freely floating in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cell (bacteria and archaea cells without a nucleus). 

Cells have a variety of membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus, which perform specialized functions. Cells reproduce by dividing, allowing organisms to grow, repair damaged tissue, and produce offspring.

Main types of cells.

• Prokaryotic Cells: Bacteria and archaea cells that lack a nucleus and lack organelles. 
• Eukaryotic Cells, found in animals, plants, fungi, and protists, contain a nucleus that houses the DNA.

Basic Structure of Eukaryotic Cells:

• Nucleus: Contains the cell’s genetic material (DNA) and controls many of its functions.
• Mitochondria: Known as the “powerhouse” of the cell, they generate energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through cellular respiration.
• Ribosomes: Involved in protein synthesis; they read mRNA and assemble proteins from amino acids.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Plays a role in the synthesis of proteins (rough ER) and lipids (smooth ER).
• Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport within or outside of the cell.
• Lysosomes: Contain digestive enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris (mainly in animal cells).
• Chloroplasts (in plant cells): Carry out photosynthesis, converting sunlight into chemical energy.
• Cell Wall (in plant cells and some prokaryotes): Provides additional structural support and protection.

Basic Functions of Cells:

• Energy Production: Cells generate energy through cellular respiration (in mitochondria) or photosynthesis (in chloroplasts, for plant cells).
• Protein Synthesis: Cells produce proteins, which are essential for building structures and catalyzing biochemical reactions.
• Growth and Division: Cells grow and divide through processes like mitosis and meiosis, contributing to organismal growth and reproduction.
• Transport: Cells transport molecules across their membrane to maintain internal conditions and communicate with their environment.

In conclusion, cells are the basic units of life, responsible for all the functions that sustain living organisms. They vary in complexity, from the simple prokaryotic cells of bacteria to the complex eukaryotic cells found in plants, animals, and fungi. Despite their differences, all cells share fundamental structures and processes that enable life.

------------------------------------------------------------

Part III. Neurons

Neurons are specialized cells in the nervous systems of animals. Note that all animals except sponges have nervous systems. Neurons produce electrochemical reactions that end up serving as modes of transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, generating functions that receive sensory input, process information, and transmit signals to other neurons and to other cells. 

Neurons generate electrical signals (action potentials) that have the effect of transmitting information. Neurons produce organic chemicals that end up serving the function of messengers (neurotransmitters) communicating information within neurons and other cells. Neurons end up acting as messengers, reacting to environmental stimuli in ways that end up conveying signals and patterns. These electrochemical signals end up becoming what we refer to as experiences, thoughts, and actions. 

Components of Neurons:

• Dendrites receive signals from other neurons, the cell body processes information, and the axon sends signals to other neurons.

• Cell Body (Soma): Contains the nucleus and organelles, and integrates signals from the dendrites.

• Dendrites: Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons.

• Axon: A long, single projection that transmits electrical impulses (action potentials) away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles.

• Synapse: The junction between neurons where chemical signals (neurotransmitters) are released to communicate with other neurons.

-------------------------------------------------

Part IV. Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemicals produced by neurons that end up serving communication functions within the nervous system. Neurotransmitters are standard chemicals such as amino acids, monoamines, peptides, purines, nitric oxide, and carbon monoxide that when tossed back and forth between neurons end up serving as functional carriers of neural network information. 

Organic Production

Neurons synthesize (produce) neurotransmitters and "spit" them from the axon terminals in response to an electrical signal (action potential) in the neuron. The neurotransmitters cross the synapse between neurons to bind to receptors on the neighboring cell, influencing cellular activity.

There are trillions of neurotransmitters running around in the human brain at any given time. The human brain has about 100 billion neurons and about 100 trillion synapses spitting neurotransmitters back and forth all day long. 

Small and Fast

Neurotransmitters are tiny small and fast-acting, quickly diffusing across the synaptic cleft (the small gap) between neurons and binding to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. Most neurotransmitters fall within a size range of 0.5 to 1 nanometers (nm). For example, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, norepinephrine range in size from about 0.5 nm to 1 nm while acetylcholine, GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), and Epinephrine are each about 1 nm in size. 

• Note that 1 nm equals one billionth of a meter or 10⁻⁹ meters. 1 meter = 1,000,000,000 nanometers (nm). 
• Put in perspective, a neurotransmitter is typically about 100,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair; and a third of the 3 nm transistors in the new Apple A18 chip in iphones 16. 

Their small size allows neurotransmitters to have the effect of transmitting signals almost in real time. Fast-acting neurotransmitters such as glutamate (excitatory) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (inhibitory), achieve effects on their target cells within one millisecond.

Common neurotransmitters 

Common neurotransmitters include dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, glutamate, and GABA. These different neurotransmitters regulate or interregulate various functions, such as mood, sleep, muscle contraction, and cognitive processes like learning and memory. Neurotransmitters can have excitatory effects (promoting action potential in the receiving neuron) or inhibitory effects (preventing action potential).

Dopamine:

• Function: Involved in reward, motivation, pleasure, and motor control.
• Associated with: Feelings of pleasure, reinforcement of rewarding behaviors, and coordination of movement.

Serotonin:

• Function: Regulates mood, sleep, appetite, and digestion.
• Associated with: Feelings of well-being and happiness; low levels are linked to depression and anxiety.

Acetylcholine:

• Function: Facilitates muscle contraction and plays a role in memory and learning.
• Associated with: Voluntary muscle movement and cognitive functions; important for attention and arousal.

Glutamate:

• Function: The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, crucial for synaptic plasticity and learning.
• Associated with: Memory formation, learning, and overall brain function; excess levels can lead to excitotoxicity (damage to neurons).

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid):

• Function: The main inhibitory neurotransmitter, reducing neuronal excitability.
• Associated with: Calming the nervous system, promoting relaxation, and reducing anxiety.

Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline):

• Function: Involved in arousal, alertness, and the fight-or-flight response.
• Associated with: Increased heart rate, focus, and alertness; helps prepare the body for action.

Endorphins:

• Function: Act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers.
• Associated with: Reducing pain perception, promoting pleasure, and enhancing mood; often released during exercise.

In conclusion, neurotransmitters are chemicals produced by neurons and that neurons "spit" or "vomit" into other neuron or into other cells. The interplay of neurotransmitter release and reception functions as the cellular messaging system of the nervous system. Neurotransmitters work together to regulate a broad range of physiological and psychological functions, from muscle control and emotional regulation to cognitive processes like memory and learning.

----------------------------------

Part V. Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) in the brain that plays a key role in several important functions, including motivation, pleasure, reward, and mood regulation. It is often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter because it contributes to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. 

Dopamine is involved in regulating:

• Motivation and reward: It reinforces behaviors that result in pleasant and enjoyable sensations.
• Movement: It plays a crucial role in controlling voluntary movements, the approach to pleasure.
• Mood and emotions: Dopamine levels affect mood, with imbalances linked to conditions like depression (low dopamine) and mania (high dopamine).

Dopamine is a CHON organic molecule. 

Dopamine's molecular formula is C₈H₁₁NO₂. Organic molecules are characterized by the presence of carbon, and dopamine contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms, making it an organic compound. Dopamine is classified as a catecholamine, which is a type of organic compound that includes a catechol group (a benzene ring with two hydroxyl groups) and an amine group (a nitrogen-containing group). 

Dopamine plays a crucial role as a neurotransmitter in the brain and body, involved in processes such as motivation, reward, and movement. Dopamine was first identified as a chemical compound in 1910 by George Barger and James Ewens. In 1957, Arvid Carlsson, a Swedish scientist, discovered its function as a neurotransmitter. Carlsson’s research revealed dopamine’s role in motor function, especially through his work with animals, which led to the development of treatments for Parkinson's disease. His discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in 2000.

Different Strokes of Dopamine

Different activities have different impacts on dopamine release and reception in the brain. Some activities tend to increase dopamine levels in the brain, enhancing feelings of pleasure and reward. These include:

• Exercise: Physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, increases dopamine levels, promoting feelings of well-being.
• Eating: Enjoyable foods, especially those high in sugar and fat, can cause spikes in dopamine.
• Listening to Music: Music that one finds pleasurable triggers dopamine release.
• Socializing: Positive social interactions or engaging with social media can boost dopamine.
• Achieving Goals: Completing tasks or achieving personal goals releases dopamine, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment.
• Playing Sports: The physical activity, social interaction, and potential achievements in sports can stimulate dopamine release.

Certain activities and behaviors tend to decrease dopamine levels, either by exhausting the neurotransmitter’s reserves or by inhibiting its production:

• Chronic Stress: Ongoing stress can decrease dopamine production over time, leading to feelings of low motivation and depression.
• Poor Diet: Diets lacking in essential nutrients, particularly amino acids (the building blocks of dopamine), can reduce dopamine synthesis.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity is associated with lower dopamine levels.
• Lack of Sleep: Sleep deprivation can lead to a reduction in dopamine receptor sensitivity, making it harder for the brain to experience rewards.
• Overstimulation: Constant engagement with dopamine-releasing activities (e.g., excessive video gaming, social media use) can lead to desensitization, reducing dopamine levels over time.

Ball Park Estimated Percentage Changes in Dopamine for Specific Activities

The following are estimates based on studies of how certain activities impact dopamine levels. Exact figures may vary depending on individual differences and specific conditions.

• Reading: Mild increase of about 10-15%. Reading stimulating or enjoyable content can result in a modest increase in dopamine, though it is typically less intense than more interactive or immediate activities.

• Mindfulness Meditation: Increase: Around 10-20%. Meditation can help reduce stress and enhance mood by boosting dopamine and other neurotransmitters involved in well-being.

• Breathing Exercises: Increase: Around 10-15% Like meditation, controlled breathing exercises can promote relaxation and may slightly increase dopamine levels by reducing stress.

• Watching Television: Increase dopamine of around 20-30%. Passive consumption of content can trigger mild dopamine release, especially when watching enjoyable or engaging content.

• Doing Exercise: Increase: Around 50-100%. Aerobic exercises like running, cycling, or swimming stimulate dopamine production significantly, contributing to the "runner's high."

• Playing Sports: Increase: Up to 100%. The combination of physical exertion, competition, and social interaction can cause a significant increase in dopamine levels.

• Playing Video Games: Increase: Up to 100%. Video games provide immediate rewards, achievements, and social interaction, making them potent stimulators of dopamine.

• Watching Social Media: Moderate to High increase from 50 to 150% depending on the platform. Social media platforms like Tik Tok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels are designed to deliver quick rewards based on customize feeds based on what the viewer tends to like or enjoy (what triggers high dopamine for the viewer), resulting in abnormally high and addictive spikes of dopamine.

Dopamine and Mood

Dopamine levels are closely linked to mood regulation, and imbalances in dopamine can contribute to mood disorders such as depression and mania.

Dopamine and Depression

Low dopamine levels are often associated with depression. Dopamine is involved in motivation, pleasure, and reward, so low levels can lead to symptoms like reduced motivation, anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure), and fatigue, which are common in depression. Treatments for depression sometimes target dopamine pathways to help improve mood and energy levels.

Dopamine and Mania

High dopamine levels or increased dopamine activity is often linked to mania, a key feature of bipolar disorder. Elevated dopamine can lead to symptoms like heightened energy, euphoria, impulsivity, and reduced need for sleep. Mood-stabilizing treatments for mania often aim to moderate dopamine levels to reduce overstimulation and restore balance.

In sum, dopamine is an organic molecule synthesized (produced) by neurons. It acts as a neurotransmitter involved in the multidimensional sensations associated with motivation to obtain pleasure. Dopamine was discovered in the mid-20th century and has been extensively studied for its role in human health. Various activities, from physical exercise to engaging with technology, influence dopamine levels, either increasing or decreasing them based on the type and intensity of stimulation. Properly balancing the activities that stimulate dopamine is essential to maintaining healthy brain function and avoiding either too low or too high levels of dopamine circulating in the brain. Low dopamine is associated with depressive symptoms, while high dopamine can contribute to manic symptoms, highlighting the importance of balanced dopamine levels in maintaining stable mood and brain health. 

Now you know a little bit more. 

Live well. Die better. Enjoy.

www.creatix.one