Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter — a chemical messenger used by brain cells — that plays an important role in motivation, reward, learning, attention, movement, and goal-directed behavior. Dopamine helps drive us to act: to learn, explore, connect with others, and pursue meaningful experiences. Although dopamine is often called the brain’s “pleasure chemical,” its role is broader than producing pleasure itself. Research increasingly suggests dopamine is involved in anticipating reward, assigning importance (salience) to experiences, and motivating behavior toward what matters. Dopamine also functions outside the brain as a neurohormone, influencing blood vessels, kidney function, and aspects of the stress response. Also see Dopamine Signaling, Reward System, and Salience.