dopamine

[doh-puh-meen]

noun

1. Biochemistry.,  a catecholamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, retina, and sympathetic ganglia, acting within the brain to help regulate movement and emotion: its depletion may cause Parkinson's disease.

2. Pharmacology.,  a dopamine preparation used to increase the force of contraction of the heart in the treatment of shock.

dopamine

/ ˈdɒpəmɪn /

noun

1. a chemical found in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter and is an intermediate compound in the synthesis of noradrenaline. Formula: (HO) 2 C 6 H 3 (CH 2 ) 2 NH 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of dopamine¹

First recorded in 1955–60; dopa, amine

Word History and Origins

Origin of dopamine¹

from d ( ihydr ) o ( xy ) p ( henylethyl ) amine

Example Sentences

“When you go and you find something, you feel the dopamine,” Garcia said.

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Your loved one is exhibiting symptoms of outrage illness — they are hooked on anger, constantly seeking the next dopamine hit of indignation.

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These shifts appear to stem from molecular changes linked to dopamine, the chemical messenger behind the "reward" signals that help the brain learn.

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Every time they click, it’s a dopamine hit.

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Each time we buy a product that we think will make our lives a little more convenient, pleasurable or stylish, we experience a rush of feel-good dopamine.

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