The Dopamine Hypothesis

The Dopamine Hypothesis suggests that people with schizophrenia may experience an imbalance of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in thinking, motivation, and perception. According to this idea, excessive dopamine activity in certain brain areas can cause symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. Many antipsychotic medications work by reducing dopamine levels or blocking its receptors, which can help alleviate these symptoms. However, the hypothesis is part of ongoing research, and scientists continue to explore how dopamine interacts with other brain chemicals and factors contributing to the disorder.