I get asked a lot of questions about dopamine, so I decided to write a series about my feelings about dopamine. Today is part 4.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in controlling movement.
If you have not read parts 1, 2, and 3 of this dopamine discussion, please read them now:
Click here to read part 1.
Click here to read part 2.
Click here to read part 3.
For part 4 today, I will explain the benefits of talking to the body with compassion and gratitude to encourage the body to find the correct dopamine and adrenaline balance for your health and recovery.
To cover this issue fully, here is an excerpt from the Meditations, Affirmations, and Prayers section of the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®:
Prayer may not be the correct word, but I believe you will understand with this explanation. Here is what I did to slow down my Adrenaline and open up my Dopamine. I would pray/meditate like this: “Hello Adrenaline. Thank you for all of the years you have run my body. Without you in charge, I would not have survived. However, all of life’s stresses that required you do be in charge are gone, and you can take a break and you do not need to run my whole body anymore. Hello Dopamine. It has been a long time. Thank you for all of those years you stayed closed and allowed Adrenaline to run my body. I appreciate that you understood it was for survival. Now that those stresses are gone, I need you to flow again. The thing is, I do not know how much Adrenaline needs to shut down and how much Dopamine needs to flow to achieve the correct mix. The two of you need to figure this out with God, and I am going to meditate on something else so I do not get in the way.”
As you can see, I began with compassion and gratitude for the adrenaline that had run my life and had kept me in literal survival mode for many years. Then, I gave compassion and gratitude to the dopamine that had taken the back seat because life needed the survival mode adrenaline all of those years.
Next, I informed both of them that things had changed…life had changed. The previous stresses in my life that had required the adrenaline survival mode to be in charge were gone from my life, by that unhealthy way of living had put me out of balance (physically, mentally, and spiritually), and I had landed squarely in Parkinson’s.
I knew the mix of dopamine and adrenaline had to change. However, I also had to admit to myself that I did not know what the correct mix was, how much dopamine would need to increase and how much adrenaline would need to decrease. As a result, I surrendered control of this outcome.
The thing is, I do not know how much Adrenaline needs to shut down and how much Dopamine needs to flow to achieve the correct mix. The two of you need to figure this out with God, and I am going to meditate on something else so I do not get in the way.
For many of you, the thought of surrendering control of the outcome of the dopamine and adrenaline flow and your recovery is something that you are not comfortable doing. I need to tell you that there really is no other choice. None of us knows what is the correct mix of dopamine and adrenaline to bring balance to our lives and the return of our full pre-Parkinson’s physical abilities, including no symptoms.
So…surrender control, and just let go.
Let go go of control with faith.
Let go of control with your only expectation being than whatever is supposed to happen will actually happen.
Let go of control so that you can close down the ego mind’s illusion of control, and thus open the space to access your heart and soul and allow the full recovery from deep inside you to rise up and greet you with the physical manifestation of your cure from Parkinson’s.
Just let go!
Okay. That is a lot to digest today. Part 5 will be posted next week. Is everybody ready for some affirmations to support your recoveries?
Please post a comment below by copying and pasting these words:
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Yes you are! Each and every one of you is worth it!!
All my best,
Howard
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
I made a ringtone of Obi-Wan Kenobi, saying to Luke Skywalker “let go” to remind me of this very important step. I find it quite affirming.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery.
AND, I AM WORTH IT!!! ❤️
Thank you, Howard!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Love to all
Maree
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you Howard!
My brain cells are alive.
My dopamine reservoir is full.
I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows.
I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest.
I am my own Parkinson’s cure.
I am extraordinary.
I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Love to you Howard and Sally and all my fellow warriors
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive.
My Dopamine reservoir is full.
I am doing the recipe, and letting go of the illusion of control over the Dopamine and Adrenaline flows.
I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest.
I am my own Parkinson’s cure.
I am extraordinary.
I am recovery.
AND,I AM WORTH IT !!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!
Howard I’ve been enjoying the writing about dopamine thank you very much!
Working to fight off daily stress and more peace achieved a lot in the last year trusting the process! I see my body is being healed and my world being safe.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!! Blessings, 🦋
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
I find your posts very encouraging and comforting.
Thank you Howard
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am letting go of the illusion of control over the dopamine and adrenaline flows. I am opening the space to access my heart and soul and allowing my full recovery to manifest. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!