What Is the Action of Dopamine in the Body?

According to Psychology Today, dopamine, a neurotransmitter, sends signals between the nerve cells of the brain. In all actuality, only a small number of neurons make dopamine. Thus, when these neurons are activated, they release dopamine.

Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) Neurons

• The functions of dopamine neurons depend on where they're found in the brain. Psychology Today says that "the dopamine neurons that are found in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) play a part in the rewards process." Dopamine in the VTA area become active when something good happens unexpectedly.

Substantia Nigra

• Dopamine neurons are also found in an area of the midbrain called the substantia nigra. Psychology Today states that dopamine neurons found in the substantia nigra die during Parkinson's disease. The College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas reports that people who have Parkinson's disease have extremely low levels of dopamine, almost to the point of nonexistence.

Dopamine And Adrenaline

• Dopamine functions much like adrenaline. According to the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas, "dopamine plays a part on brain processes that control motor skills, emotional response, and the ability to experience pleasure and pain."

Dopamine And Addiction

• Dopamine can play a part in addiction. Some drugs, referred to as "dopamine agonists," can latch on to dopamine receptors and as a result, mimic dopamine and stimulate the receptors, according to the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas.

Dopamine And Personality Traits

• In 1996, a Cornell clinical psychologist found that dopamine affects a certain type of happiness, a personality trait and short-term, working memory, Susan Long reports. The level of dopamine correlates to how responsive a person is to incentives and rewards.