Selects: How Dopamine Works

The podcast explores the neurochemical dopamine, challenging the common misconception that it's solely a pleasure-inducing chemical. It is clarified that dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter that signals behaviors and facilitates communication between neurons. The discussion covers the neurotransmitter cycle, highlighting how tyrosine is converted into dopamine in the brain. The hosts address dopamine's association with motor control, learning, memory, and its role in conditions like Parkinson's and psychosis. They explore how dopamine influences motivation and learning, referencing the "prediction error" theory, and discuss its connection to addiction, risk-taking, and social media engagement, cautioning against misinterpretations of "dopamine fasts."