The Chemical Behind Your Highs, Lows, and Habits

Episode Overview

In this episode, Carl takes on one of the brain’s most powerful chemicals — dopamine. Often tied to motivation, reward, and even addiction, dopamine plays a huge role in shaping our behaviour, mood, and daily habits.

Carl explores:

• What dopamine actually does in the body and brain (and why it’s not just about feeling good)
• How it connects to things like motivation, pleasure, movement, and mood regulation
• The signs of high vs. low dopamine — from addictive behaviour and insomnia to fatigue and lack of focus
• How acupuncture might help regulate dopamine, potentially easing symptoms linked to stress, low mood, hormone imbalances, and even neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s

He also dives into the research — including animal studies and clinical observations — that suggest acupuncture could influence dopamine levels, and how this may explain why so many people feel better after treatment.

Whether you’re seeing these signs in your patients or just want to better understand how acupuncture ties into brain chemistry, this episode is packed with insight, real-world examples, and Carl’s usual dose of humour.

Watch now on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.