Dopamine Dysregulation in Crypto Traders I've had several crypto clients in recent months present with burnout in the form of dopamine depletion - and it is obvious in their lab reports. These are people that are constantly diving into the newest protocols and researching new opportunities, often staring at screens and charts for 12-16 hrs a day. There is a fear during bull markets that people aren't making the most of every single opportunity out there - FOMO. Unfortunately these behaviours destroy dopamine systems and lead to addictive behaviour combined with poor decision making. Smart investors → Dumb gamblers Helping to fix their lifestyle and restore their dopamine circuits greatly improves their quality of life and ability to sustain through a bull market. You can see dopamine dysregulation in their labs with depleted neurotransmitter metabolites and related cofactors. Homovanillic Acid (HVA) is the primary metabolite of dopamine, formed when dopamine is broken down by monoamine oxidase and COMT. Low levels of HVA in urine may suggest dopamine depletion because it reflects reduced dopamine turnover. Other relevant metabolites include vanillylmandelic acid which is a metabolite of adrenaline. A low ratio of HVA to VMA may specifically indicate dopamine depletion. Amino acids are also important to look at. Phenylalanine and Tyrosine are precursors in dopamine synthesis. You also want to take into account serotonin and kynurenine pathway metabolites. Key nutrients like vitamin B6, magnesium, iron, and vitamin C are critical in the dopamine synthesis pathway. Their deficiencies can impair dopamine production and neurotransmitter balance​. Fix your dopamine systems to improve cognitive function and critical decision making.