I get asked a lot of questions about dopamine, so I decided to write a series about my feelings about dopamine. Today is the final part.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in controlling movement.
If you have not read parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 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.
Click here to read part 4.
For the final part today, I will explain how joy in the heart is the direct connection to dopamine production and flow to the body.
A few months ago, I received an email from an osteopath in Australia. He had read my book and was intrigued by my dopamine/heart connection, and he asked me how I made the connection between the heart and dopamine, seeking to see if I could share my research with him. I am copying and pasting my response here:
“The connection between the heart and dopamine was from experience, not from research.
As I started to open my heart to better feelings about myself and my life, even in a Parkinson’s body, I became abundantly grateful for my life. I began to see everything as an extension of the true gift, having this life. This brought me joy and I felt it inside, in my heart, physically.
So, I began giving genuine gratitude for everything: Thank you I am brushing my teeth, thank I am putting on my socks, thank you for this lovely cup of coffee, thank you for my wonderful family, etc. As I did this, my mind’s judgments and criticisms lessened, and I felt good inside, what I call joy from the inside in my heart.
Also, I began smiling at people and striking up conversations with strangers, and it felt wonderful in my heart. I felt my heart “crack open” with joy. Again, a feeling of joy from the inside.
It was this feeling of joy from the inside, reconnecting with life, reconnecting with people, and sharing joy from the inside that brought me back to life. During this time, my movement started improving, and my body functions that had been severely impaired slowly started returning. Everything I had done physically and mentally in my recovery to that point prepared me to sustain the full recovery, but my symptoms remained and my abilities remained impaired until I started practicing full-time gratitude and sharing joy from my heart.
I knew I needed the dopamine to be flowing at a higher rate to get my movement back, and I realized that feeling truly joyful in my heart was the direct line to the increased production and release of dopamine. It was a feeling, and my improved movement was proof.”
Although I was not much assistance to the doctor in providing him research materials supporting my experiential assertion, he sent me a gracious response and let me know that if he came up with anything, he would contact me back.
A couple of weeks ago, he sent me an email, and here is an excerpt from his email:
“I came across an article by a cardiologist who identifies “intrinsic cardiac adrenergic cells” that synthesize and release dopamine! So you are right!”
Okay. Apparently, there is even medical documentation stating that we are correct that joy and gratitude are the direct connection to opening the heart to manufacture and release the dopamine. How about that!!
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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!! 😀😀😀😀 thank you Howard
This is so affirming. My wife and I have a daily gratitude practice and in fact, I practice gratitude all the time. I was cycling to work today and the headwind was intense. I’m on my electric bike, so it’s not a problem, and as I pass, another cyclist, with a friendly acknowledgment, he “hopped on my wheel” and drafted behind me through the headwind to his destination. We had a nice chat with a really nice friendly departure. I started crying because I felt so good about myself. I was grateful to him to allow me to help him angry with myself for being a good person.
I had another tearful epiphany this morning during my meditation when I realized I don’t have to be afraid of other men anymore. I’ve carried a fear of men attacking me throughout my entire life, but not anymore. I’m safe and I am loved. Just like you..
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!! Just like you. :0)
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you Howard so much for everything you do.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
The Bible says to count it all joy. Keyword here and in your message today is ALL. And you’ve taken that to heart Howard and have become a true blessing to so many. Thank you for the love and joy you pour out us. It’s about the joy all the way through life not the dopamine. The dopamine just seems to be the wonderful response to true joy. My gratitude and joy can go so much deeper. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I hearby give myself permission to feel true joy all the way into my heart.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you ❤️
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you very much for sharing. I have been doing the recipe since February 1, 4 months, and I am getting better and better. I am still on medications but I am not worried about them, I am grateful for them helping me now and know that I will be able to reduce them soon. Yesterday, after a long time, a friend of mine, a doctor, who was very troubled by my illness, saw me. Her tears of joy flowed and she said, “you will really get well…”
Howard,
I am grateful to you for your constant guidance. I am also grateful to my family and friends for their support. I’m grateful to this community of people supporting each other.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!
As I was riding my bike to the tennis court last weekend, a little boy of about 4 yrs old, walking with his dad, smiled and waved to me, I took my hand off the handlebar (not always a good idea for me) and I thought immediately of Howard’s words about giving people a smile and I waved back and gave him a big smile and shouted hello to him as I rode by. It filled my heart with joy to see the beautiful smile and joy on his face too. That feeling stayed with me for the rest of the day. Thank you Howard!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery, AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you so much, Howard, for all your kindness and help this week. I am so grateful to you and send you and your family love and blessings.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Yipee! It’s TRUE.
Patricia
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH, DEAR HOWARD!!
It’s so refreshing and inspiring to read all these expressions of love and gratitude.
I am so thankful for this community of fighters. Thanks
Howard for leading the way with your encouragement and support.
❤️❤️❤️
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Wow! “Intrinsic cardiac adrenergic cells” that synthesize and release dopamine! That’s awesome – you knew it all along Howard! Fabulous article!
Everyone’s stories are causing my dopamine to overflow!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Much joy and overflowing dopamine to you all!!!
Thank you Howard for your inspirational words. Truly, gratitude is the key.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy in my heart. Which is creating. More dopamine. and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinsons 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Doing the program the best I can. I am released from guilt. I am good enough. God is helping all the time. Thanks Howard for your efforts.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you Howard. I relate to this loads!
Love to all,
Ola
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
I am grateful and joyful. Thank you Howard
❤️
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you! I needed to read this right now and it came at the right time
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow.
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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Greetings and love to all of you here 🙂
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
How confirming to receive such an article, & such a powerful affirmation this is!
Smiling is back :-)…AND ☺️….
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you dear Howard for your continuous support.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the recipe and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it to flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Love to everyone,
Maree
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thanks Howard, I give Thanks for being near 2 1/2 years drug free
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. 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 experiencing joy and gratitude in my heart which is creating more dopamine and helping it flow. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!