the brain reward system

Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that pass messages from one nerve cell to another.  Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter of reward.  When the reward system of the brain is working properly, it rewards us with a feeling of well-being, pleasure, and satisfaction from normal activities by releasing dopamine in the reward center of the brain.  While dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter of reward, it does not work alone.  Endorphins, serotonin, and GABA interact in a cascade that leads to the optimal amount of dopamine to reward us with feelings of satisfaction and well-being.  Here is how it works:

Serotonin helps you relax and stimulates the production of endorphins...

Endorphins relieve physical and emotional pain and regulate the production of GABA...

GABA reduces anxiety and regulates the production of dopamine...

Dopamine released into the reward site of the brain is the outcome of the reward cascade.  A sufficient supply of  dopamine gives the reward we are seeking:  dopamine homeostasis.

Lack of dopamine homeostasis can manifest itself as restlessness, anxiety, emptiness, lack of satisfaction, and vague or specific cravings. These feelings are the brain’s message to us to take action to correct the imbalance. People with low dopamine may feel as if they are constantly in need of something to fill the emptiness, reduce the anxiety, elevate the mood, quiet the restlessness, or satisfy cravings. 

What causes an imbalance of the Brain Reward System? 

There are numerous causes for the imbalance -- both genetic and environmental. Many people are born with one or more genetic variants that interfere with neurotransmitter balance. Non-genetic causes include prenatal conditions, malnutrition, severe or ongoing stress, trauma, exposure to environmental toxins and heavy or long-term use of mood-altering substances. Both genetic and environmental causes put persons at higher risk for addiction due to an imbalance of the reward neurotransmitters.

SynaptaGenX can help.