The Chemical Behind Your Highs, Lows, and Habits

Dopamine plays a massive role in how we move, feel, connect, and stay motivated — but most of us don’t realise how much it’s driving our day-to-day decisions. In this episode, we dive into the complex relationship between dopamine and acupuncture, exploring how acupuncture might influence the brain’s reward pathways, regulate mood, reduce addictive behaviours, and even impact hormonal balance.We break down key dopamine pathways like the mesolimbic system, the role of the nucleus accumbens in habit formation and pleasure, and how imbalances in dopamine can lead to everything from burnout to anxiety, low motivation, and even physical symptoms like fatigue or tremors. Drawing on studies from rodent models to fMRI trials, we look at how acupuncture could modulate dopamine levels through the vagus nerve, GABA pathways, and the HPA axis.Learn more about Breeze Academy: ⁠https://breeze.academy⁠Follow us on Instagram @breeze.academy.professionalGot questions? Email us at [email protected]