Hi Narey,Actually I have just started researching this.Thanks for posting your question. I am anxious to see your responses and the others opinions......Cheryl

Me, too, Cheryl. I ordered a product called DopaBean, and got to wondering if anyone else uses it.

Narey,

I see my neurologist in a few weeks and look forward to asking him about this - i'm too cautious to just start using something and have it clash with all the other things I put in my body - natural or not. I know - I'm probably chicken.

More to come...

Since being on Adderall, which to my understanding increases dopamine and norepinephrine, I have noticed a reduction in anxiety and depression and I'm staying awake. I'm taking Adderall for hypersomnia and it just so happens to be helping me with some of my mental stuff.

It's not making me pain free though - it makes it easier for me to fight through the pain, but I'm not pain free.

I take the amino acid DL-phenylalanine that puts dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. The only problem I've had is that my blood pressure is up a bit so I'm cutting back on it as I can.

I hear that sex raises dopamine levels, so I tell my husband he has to. lol

He is very willing to comply. There is a wealth of joke potential in there. :)

i used dopabean awhile, then the doc put me on mirapex..........i couldn't reach the target dose, made me sick and disrupted sleep.......so iwe went to a mix of mirapex and requip........i take it at nite just as the sleep meds are starting in then i don't get sick.
makes me some groggy in the a.m. and sometimes nauseous.......but it does make some difference with the pain

Did you think dopabean was helpful when you took that?

I ordered Dopabean Friday, we will see...like I said, I have a cupboard full of things I have attempted through the years that either did nothing or made me hurt.

I was willing to risk adding this one more to that cupboard for the possibility of it actually making me feel better.

I read that marijuana increases dopamine

I had my neurotransmitter levels checked through my naturopath. He sent it off to the same labs other doctors use. I am VERY low on Serotonin and Dopamine. He put me on Tyrosine in the A.M and Tryptophan in the P.M. After a few months, I can honestly say they are working !!!! I feel like somewhat of my old happy self again! I smiled and was pretty outgoing before because that is just my nature but now its alot more. I prefer to NOT take any antidepressants as I have been on that before with HORRIFIC side effects. Natural is always better.

I am surprised that doctors DONT test peoples neurotransmitter levels BEFORE they put them on an A.D. But why should I be surprised? The average doctor just puts random people on random pills without a second thought on the side effects... I suggest trying a natural one if possible as long as its safe with your other meds.

I like what FieryPrincess and Duckymay had to say and together they may be put to test...LOL

But in the real world I will ask my PCP today if this would be an option having my Neurotransmitter levels tested as I also have had a hard time with different Anitdepressents...

Thanks JellBean25 and if all else fails I can try to score some pot and my husband and be "WILLIN" as the song goes!

Hugs All

Sue Bee

I only just came to learn that the neurotransmitter levels can be checked. I'll be looking into that! and passing on the info! Thanks.