dopamine

American  

[doh-puh-meen] / ˈdoʊ pəˌmin /

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.

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dopamine British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of dopamine

First recorded in 1955–60; dopa, amine

Compare meaning

How does dopamine compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dopamine vs. serotonin

Example Sentences

"I could tell my dopamine was shot because I was irritable and didn't want to answer basic questions about my day."

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Most other moms I talked to when I was in the breastfeeding trenches were probably experiencing a dopamine dip that was subtle and regulated.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2026

Several people said managing agents gives them a similar dopamine hit as strategy-focused videogames like “Age of Empires” and “StarCraft.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Henwick says she also tried to "get rid of fast dopamine hits" by putting time limits on her social media apps.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

The way he thinks about it is that even the smallest click of a device gives a little rush, a tiny dopamine squirt.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel