Stephen Cabral

  • About
  • Courses
  • Certification
  • Consulting
  • Podcasts
  • Assessments
  • Shop
    • Top Sellers
    • Supplements
    • Dr. Cabral Detox
    • At-Home Labs
    • CBD
    • Resources
Menu
  • About
  • Courses
  • Certification
  • Consulting
  • Podcasts
  • Assessments
  • Shop
    • Top Sellers
    • Supplements
    • Dr. Cabral Detox
    • At-Home Labs
    • CBD
    • Resources
Start Here

Stephen Cabral

Start Here
  • About
  • Courses
  • Certification
  • Consulting
  • Podcasts
  • Assessments
  • Shop
    • Top Sellers
    • Supplements
    • Dr. Cabral Detox
    • At-Home Labs
    • CBD
    • Resources
Menu
  • About
  • Courses
  • Certification
  • Consulting
  • Podcasts
  • Assessments
  • Shop
    • Top Sellers
    • Supplements
    • Dr. Cabral Detox
    • At-Home Labs
    • CBD
    • Resources

3372: 8 Causes of Low Ambition, Drive and Dopamine

  • April 30, 2025

Share

SUBSCRIBE NOW

  • Apple Podcast
  • spotify
  • google podcast
  • Audible (amazon)

WW: 8 Causes of Low Ambition, Drive and Dopamine

Have you been feeling low on motivation, energy, or ambition lately?

You might be dealing with low dopamine…

On today’s episode, I’ll walk you through 8 scientifically-backed reasons why your drive and dopamine levels could be running low—and how each one may be affecting your brain’s ability to stay focused, motivated, and energized.

So join me on today’s Cabral Concept 3372 to find out the top causes of low dopamine.

Enjoy the show, and let me know what you thought!

Show Highlights & Big Takeaways:

8 Causes of Low Ambition, Drive and Dopamine

  1. Chronic Stress: Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which can disrupt dopamine signaling and reduce the sensitivity of dopamine receptors.
  2. Inflammation: Inflammatory cytokines can lower dopamine production and impair how dopamine receptors function.
  3. Poor Sleep: Since dopamine helps regulate wakefulness, inadequate or poor-quality sleep can reduce dopamine synthesis and receptor responsiveness.
  4. Lack of Sunlight / Low Vitamin: Vitamin D plays a key role in dopamine production and the development of healthy neurons, so low levels can impact dopamine function.
  5. Poor Diet (Low Tyrosine or Protein): Dopamine is made from tyrosine, an amino acid found in protein-rich foods. Diets low in protein or essential nutrients like iron can hinder its production.
  6. Overuse of Dopamine-Stimulating Substances: Regular overstimulation from things like sugar, social media, or other addictive behaviors can lead to dopamine resistance, where receptors become less responsive.
  7. Heavy Metal or Environmental Toxin Exposure: Toxins such as lead, mercury, and certain pesticides can interfere with dopamine transport, enzyme activity, and overall brain health.
  8. Gut Dysbiosis: An imbalanced gut microbiome can affect dopamine by reducing precursor availability, increasing inflammation, and disrupting neurotransmitter regulation.

Show Notes & Related Podcasts

Podcast on Brain Inflammation

Mind, Mood & Neurotransmitter Test

The role of stress in the pathophysiology of the dopaminergic system (research)

The mesoaccumbens dopamine in coping with stress (research)

Inflammation as a Pathophysiologic Pathway to Anhedonia: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications (research)

Cytokine effects on the basal ganglia and dopamine function: The subcortical source of inflammatory malaise (research)

Sleep deprivation decreases binding of [11C]raclopride to dopamine D2/D3 receptors in the human brain (research)

Vitamin D regulates tyrosine hydroxylase expression: N-cadherin a possible mediator (research)

Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters multiple neurotransmitter systems in the neonatal rat brain (research)

Tyrosine, phenylalanine, and catecholamine synthesis and function in the brain (research)

Effect of tyrosine supplementation on clinical and healthy populations under stress or cognitive demands–A review (research)

The dopamine motive system: implications for drug and food addiction (research)

Organophosphate Insecticides Target the Serotonergic System in Developing Rat Brain Regions: Disparate Effects of Diazinon and Parathion at Doses Spanning the Threshold for Cholinesterase Inhibition (research)

Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota (research)

Gut microbiota depletion from early adolescence in mice: Implications for brain and behaviour (research)

Resources Links

Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral’s book, the Rain Barrel Effect

Join Our Online Community (Free Q&A Facebook support group!)

Dr. Cabral’s Personal Resource Page

Apply to Dr. Cabral’s Private Practice 

Become an IHP Certified Health Coach by Dr. Cabral

dr. cabral's most popular lab tests

Complete Minerals & Metals Test

Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test

Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test

Complete Stress, Sleep & Hormones Test

Complete Food Sensitivity Test

Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test

Complete Gut Bacteria & Parasite Test

Comprehensive “Big 5” Lab Tests

View all Functional Medicine lab tests

PODCAST CATEGORIES

All Podcasts

Motivation and Mindset Monday (MM)

Total Wellness Tuesdays (TWT)

Weight Loss Wednesdays (WW)

HPH & Training Thursdays

Friday Best Of Review (FR)

Cabral House Call

Conversations with Cabral (CWC)

Case Studies

FREE SMOOTHIE GUIDE

download now

FREE GREEN JUICE RECIPES

download now

FREE DETOX COURSE

start today

GET YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED ON AN UPCOMING HOUSE CALL!

Submit your question
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36361600/height/128/theme/modern/size/standard/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/ffffff/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes” width=”100%” height=”128″ scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen>

WOULD YOU TAKE 30 SECONDS TO RATE & REVIEW THE CABRAL CONCEPT?

The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!

Click this link to open the Cabral Concept on Apple Podcasts
Click “Listen On Apple Podcasts”
Scroll down to the “Ratings & Reviews” section
Click “Write a Review”

leave a review

Join Over 200,000+ Community Members For Exclusive Updates

Subscribe

Stephen Cabral

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram
Start Here
  • Free Welcome Pack
  • Cabral Resource Page
  • Join the Movement
  • Free Welcome Pack
  • Cabral Resource Page
  • Join the Movement
  • Free Welcome Pack
  • Cabral Resource Page
  • Join the Movement
  • Free Welcome Pack
  • Cabral Resource Page
  • Join the Movement
Resources
  • Weight Loss
  • Wellness
  • Anti-Aging
  • Weight Loss
  • Wellness
  • Anti-Aging
  • Weight Loss
  • Wellness
  • Anti-Aging
  • Weight Loss
  • Wellness
  • Anti-Aging
Most Popular
  • Dr. Cabral Detox
  • Daily Protocol
  • At-Home Lab Tests
  • Dr. Cabral Detox
  • Daily Protocol
  • At-Home Lab Tests
  • Dr. Cabral Detox
  • Daily Protocol
  • At-Home Lab Tests
  • Dr. Cabral Detox
  • Daily Protocol
  • At-Home Lab Tests
Learn More
  • About
  • All Podcasts
  • Courses
  • About
  • All Podcasts
  • Courses
  • About
  • All Podcasts
  • Courses
  • About
  • All Podcasts
  • Courses
© 2023 STEPHENCABRAL.COM
  • Terms of Use
  • Full Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Full Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy