I keep reading all these recreational drugs increase dopamine – the ‘feel good’ drug in the brain. So why is just injecting dopamine itself not a thing?

Question

I keep reading all these recreational drugs increase dopamine – the ‘feel good’ drug in the brain. So why is just injecting dopamine itself not a thing?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Because the dopamine is being released in the synapses of the brain. It doesn’t just flow directly there from the blood stream, and dopamine in the blood would not have the desired effect. There are actually situations where a dopamine injection is a good idea, but that’s like, heart failure, not wanting to get high.