The role of dopamine in the psychological architecture of pleasure and reward indicates that it is a major element in determining reinforcement (Arias -Carrión & Pöppel, 2007, p. 484). This role was postulated based on the discovery of dopamine in reward pathways originating from the midbrain (2). From these findings, dopamine has been shown to have a profound impact on the existence of “reward-seeking behaviors” (Arias-Carrión & Pöppel, 2007, p. 481). A 2006 study by Mathias Pessiglione and colleagues demonstrated that subjects given L-DOPA, a precursor to dopamine, were more likely to remember decisions that led to rewards and to continue making those decisions. decisions (3). Although the central experiment of this study was conducted in the form of a game of chance, the effects of dopamine on decision-making and reinforcement may be derived from the observed effects of L-DOPA on participants. This derivation can be made not only because L-DOPA is synthesized into dopamine once in the brain, but also because play is an illuminating behavior in the way it represents general reward-seeking behaviors and decisions. As Óscar Arias-Carrión and Ernst Pöppel explain, “DA [dopamine] is the brain's way of reinforcing behavior” (Arias-Carrión and Pöppel, 2007, p. 486). Furthermore, it has also been demonstrated experimentally that the responsiveness of dopamine levels in the brain to rewarding experiences is characterized by a certain degree of neuronal plasticity (4). In this context, “plasticity” refers to the brain's ability to change its responses to experiences based on how novel or unique the experience is. This quality can help the brain act like a sieve, filtering out experiences that are middle of paper...... and which quickly release dopamine into the synapse (13). Although these mechanisms are different, both lead to essentially the same end result: euphoria, arousal, and increased motor activity. These symptoms reflect those of a person with high levels of dopamine, as seen in psychotic patients. Indeed, large doses of stimulants can even lead to psychotic states involving hallucinations. The contrasting effects of antipsychotics and stimulants not only on behavior but also on cognitive and physiological processes contribute to a better understanding of how dopamine affects both the mind and body. Although the many nuances and subtleties of dopamine neurotransmission are not well understood, observing how psychoactive drugs influence normal dopamine functioning may help create stronger links between this neurotransmitter and behavior. human..