Dopamine and Norepinephrine (Noradrenalin) are neurotransmitters which act on the body's physiology and the mind's emotional state (both are physiologically active and psychoactive as well), they act by very different mechanisms. Both have a psychotonic and stimulant effect, but each has its own place within the hierarchy of better living through careful, well-moderated supplementation.
Being simplistic, norepinephrine creates a state of hypervigilance, "flight or fight" responses, increased physical strength, decreased physical sensitivity, secretion of cortisol, pulse rate and blood pressure elevation, and, in many cases, anxiety. The use of precursors to release this neurotransmitter (such as phenylethylamine, pseudoephedrine, methamphetamine, adderall and a host of others) tend to vary in intensity, half-life and side effects. They do not generally serve well as antidepressents, they produce a level of anxiety and hyperstimulation, and when their effects have worn off, the body feels ravaged and the mind goes through a depressed recovery cycle. They are all appetite suppressants, and are used by fitness buffs and bodybuilders, as well as soldiers in the field of combat. They are crude CNS stimulants. They do not increase pleasure (generally), but they can create wakefulness, focus (in some), and greater endurance for physical challenges.
Norepinephrine acts as a potent appetite suppressant, whereas dopamine is neither as immediately effective or as powerful an appetite suppressant even as it accumulates in the body, although it does have some effect in this regard.
In contrast, dopamine precursors and proto-supplements tend to take longer to have a discernible effect, and they work directly on the mind's pleasure and wakefulness centers. Some of these precursors are macuna pruriens (extracted from the velvet bean and containing approximately 15% levodopa (L-Dopa), and Sinemet, which is a brand name for carbidopa, a drug that is used (in conjunction with deprenyl) to treat Parkinson's disease, and proactively for treatment of senile dementia. Dopamine is associated with increased aggressiveness, sex drive, and antidepressant qualities in certain individuals. Dopaminergic supplements are not as hyper-stimulating to the CNS, and are less prone to cause precipitous anxiety or violent behavior. Of course, as sufficient dopamine builds up in certain parts of the brain, its potential to be dangerously disruptive increases.
Another advantage of dopaminergic agents is that they do help in certain cases of narcolepsy, unipolar depression, and in offsetting some of the anti-libidinous effects of SSRIs and SNRIs taken by disthymic, depressed or demotivated individuals. SNRIs are interactive in stimulating norepinephrine production and longevity in the synapse -- these often cause anxiety in patients being treated for depression.
If you must experiment, be certain that your cardiovascular and psychiatric health can tolerate small doses of these substances, and take them only under a health professional's supervision.
My personal inclination would be to use the minimal effective dose of PEA prior to intensive, physically demanding activity or a scheduled workout, but to take small periodic doses of dopaminergic supplements and carefully monitor your mood and decision making capabilities. As a psychotropic supplement for cognitive enhancement, focus and additional wakefulness, dopamine has far more of what you seek than any of the norepinephrine enhancers.
Douglas E Castle (http://aboutDouglasCastle.blogspot.com)
Other Blogs:
http://LifeExtensionAndQuality.blogspot.com
http://Links4LifeAlerts.com
http://SendingSignals.blogspot.com
http://www.TNNWC.com
You may wish to Google "Erowid" to find out more about macuna pruriens, phenylethylamine, and a long list of psychotropic, cognitive-enhancement and mind-altering drugs. Much of the information is anecdotal, and many of the substances described are either available only by prescription, or are controlled or illegal. Be careful. Keep it academic.
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