New publications
Dopamine is the true cause of disrupted sleep rhythms
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Researchers at the Biomedical Research Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases have discovered how dopamine affects human sleep. They have established the following: there is a structure in the brain, the pineal gland, that regulates the body's "internal clock."
It helps to adapt to the change of light and dark phases of the day, transmitting light signals to the brain. This transmission is carried out, in particular, due to the sleep hormone melatonin. It is produced in the dark time of the day and regulates metabolism when a person sleeps.
The production and release of melatonin is regulated by norepinephrine (delivers melatonin to cells by binding to receptors on the membranes). Until recently, it was believed that norepinephrine receptors worked on their own. However, it has now become clear: they combine with dopamine receptors.
So, when dopamine attaches to its receptors, norepinephrine is blocked. The result is a decrease in the concentration of melatonin. Dopamine receptors make themselves known only in the morning, which allows a person to wake up. Apparently, in people with insomnia or rhythm disorders due to changing time zones, this mechanism does not work correctly.
[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ]