Fasting Increases Dopamine Signaling in Reward Center of Brain (Mouse Study)

Researchers have uncovered new insights into how fasting alters dopamine signaling in the brain’s reward circuitry. Their findings, published in the Journal of Neurophysiology, suggest that fasted mice exhibit enhanced dopamine release in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain compared to fed mice. This may help explain fasting’s impact on motivation and reward-seeking …

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Brain Reward System Dysfunction in Depression & Mental Disorders

Researchers explored how our brain’s reward system connects to depression and other common mental health problems like social anxiety and eating disorders. They found that a dampened reward response seems to follow, rather than precede, symptoms of depression and other disorders. This highlights the important role that blunted enjoyment plays in the persistence of mental …

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