Simple Hacks to Increase Your Dopamine Levels

5 Simple Hacks to Increase Your Dopamine Levels

Some people might think that happiness is elusive. Others think that it’s an emotion that you should wait for to happen.

However, for those science-inclined, happiness is a result of increasing several chemical messengers, or hormones, in our brains. One of them is dopamine, more commonly known as the reward chemical.

How to Increase Your Dopamine Levels

Do you ever feel a certain high because you experienced something pleasurable? That’s your dopamine at work.

Here are some simple tricks to increase your dopamine levels the natural way.

1. Complete a task

Complete a task

Most people know the struggle of writing a to-do list, then not being able to tick off the items on it. If you have been in this situation, you’re not alone.

One easy way to have a natural dopamine high is to finish a task and visually cross it out. The good news is it doesn’t have to be that big.

Fold a load of laundry sitting in the dryer. Get your dishwasher running to clear your sink.

You can start with small tasks that lead to a big goal. In the previous example, cleaning doesn’t mean your home should be spick and span in a snap.

Don’t forget to celebrate it when you see those check marks starting to appear on your to-do list. Reward yourself with some ice cream or any comfort food (more of this later).

2. Try something new

Another way to send pleasure waves to your brain is to challenge it to try something new. When your brain unlocks a new skill, dopamine hormones are released.

You can try dancing, gardening, or playing the guitar. The list could go on and on depending on your interests.

You may also explore a new place and learn something new. A visit to a reputable travel agency may help you decide on the perfect location.

3. Eat good food

Eat good food

Feeling oh so good when eating a good meal is familiar to most people. Yes, that’s your dopamine speaking.

So, don’t deprive yourself of a sumptuous meal. You can choose from good restaurants, catering services, or even cook meals by yourself (it’s part of trying something new, too).

While you’re at it, get ingredients or products that are rich in tyrosine. This amino acid is largely responsible for producing dopamine in your brain.

Stock up your fridge with the likes of chicken, yogurt, cheese, avocados, and bananas, among many others.

4. Get enough sleep

You don’t need a reason to get yourself a proper shut-eye. But in case you do, you might be delighted to know that good sleep is good for your dopamine levels.

Aside from being healthy for your heart, good sleep can help you wake up in high spirits.

So, go ahead and set the mood of your bedroom for quality sleep. Invest in an excellent mattress, match it with comfortable bedding and pillowcases, and keep the surroundings dark and quiet.

5. Practice a self-care routine

Practice a self-care routine

Stress causes low dopamine levels. When you bust stress out of your life, you are helping to regulate your dopamine levels.

One easy way to keep stress at bay is to make sure that you practice a self-care routine. You must remember, though, that self-love comes in different forms.

Others may see it as splurging in shopping at Byward Market. Some think of an afternoon of spas, facials, and massages.

But for others, self-love means staying out of debt and practicing financial literacy. It could also mean being committed to the program given by your personal trainer.

There are no right or wrong answers here. The idea is to keep yourself at a zen level by taking good care of your mental health.


Happiness isn’t elusive after all. You can take definitive steps to achieve it—and one way is to increase your dopamine levels.

Have you tried any of these hacks before? We would love to hear about your experience.