The Dopamine Dilemma: Does TRT Make You Addicted to Feeling Good?
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Do you think that most mental health issues are contra indications for starting TRT? Such as depression and bipolar for example? Or have you seen peop...
For us, we have had a significant number of patients join us with slight anxiety or depression start TRT and find that those mental health issues improved or went away for them. It is likely that it w... See Full Answer
I've been on TRT for 1.5 years and have not been able to figure out why it has caused ED. Estrogen is where it should be. I'm not on excess T. Not on ...
The melanocortin receptor pathway is a relatively newly discovered mechanism for both erectile function and libido. It is entirely separate from traditional hormonal pathways previously thought to be ... See Full Answer
How do you manage bph while on TRT? I’ve considered finasteride but hear very conflicting information about its usage....
Because of the way it works to decrease DHT levels, and because DHT is very important in sexual function, it has a known potential side-effect of erectile dysfunction. Despite this potential side ef... See Full Answer
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Testosterone is often called the “alpha hormone” for a reason—it plays a big role in drive, mood, and motivation. But when TRT kicks in and guys start feeling energized, confident, and mentally sharp again… a question comes up:
Is it just dopamine talking?
Let’s break it down:
TRT can increase dopamine sensitivity, especially in men who were previously low T. That means your brain responds more strongly to things that make you feel good—like hitting the gym, solving problems, or just showing up with confidence.
But here’s the truth:
TRT doesn’t hijack your reward system. It restores it.
Low T can flatten dopamine activity, leaving you unmotivated and emotionally numb. TRT doesn’t flood your brain with feel-good chemicals—it resets your natural balance. You feel better because your hormones are finally working with your brain, not against it.
Is there a risk of psychological dependency?
Only if you confuse normal function with superhuman expectation. TRT is about restoring what was lost, not chasing a high.
So no, you’re not “addicted” to feeling good—
You’re just feeling normal again. Maybe for the first time in a long time.
Have a question? Ask us.
At AlphaMD, we're here to help. Feel free to ask us any question you would like about TRT, medical weightloss, ED, or other topics related to men's health. Or take a moment to browse through our past questions.
People are asking...
Do you think that most mental health issues are contra indications for starting TRT? Such as depression and bipolar for example? Or have you seen peop...
For us, we have had a significant number of patients join us with slight anxiety or depression start TRT and find that those mental health issues improved or went away for them. It is likely that it w... See Full Answer
I've been on TRT for 1.5 years and have not been able to figure out why it has caused ED. Estrogen is where it should be. I'm not on excess T. Not on ...
The melanocortin receptor pathway is a relatively newly discovered mechanism for both erectile function and libido. It is entirely separate from traditional hormonal pathways previously thought to be ... See Full Answer
How do you manage bph while on TRT? I’ve considered finasteride but hear very conflicting information about its usage....
Because of the way it works to decrease DHT levels, and because DHT is very important in sexual function, it has a known potential side-effect of erectile dysfunction. Despite this potential side ef... See Full Answer
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