Table 1.
Activities that seemed to affect D-MER, with their presumed effects on dopamine and oxytocin
| Activity | Dopamine | Oxytocin | Observed effect on D-MER symptoms | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol - one serving | 0 | 0 [24] | none | |
| Smoking - two to five cigarettes in rapid succession | ↑ | ↓ [25] | improved | Numerous studies show an increase in dopamine with exposure to nicotine. |
| Pseudo-ephedrine (two 30 mg tablets) | ↑ [10] | 0? | improved | PSE may reduce milk supply by reducing prolactin, implying an increase in dopamine. No literature found on the effect of pseudoephedrine on oxytocin release. |
| Bupropion - 150 mg/day | ↑ [21] | 0? | improved | No literature found on the effect of bupropion on oxytocin release. |
| Chocolate ice cream binge | ↑ [1,26] | ↑ | improved | Occasional evening binges were followed by a small window of D-MER-free breastfeeding. |
| Chronic moderate stress | ↑ | ↑ | improved | |
| Caffeine | ↑and↓ | 0 | worsened | Some internet hints of a dopamine rise and subsequent "crash" were not verified |
| Acute stress | ↓ [27] | ↑ [28] | worsened | |
| Metoclopramide | ↓ [29] | 0 | worsened | Administered by IV during pregnancy; reaction was similar to D-MER |
| Immediately after meals with extended family | ? | 0 | worsened | Relations with extended family were good. While the worsening of symptoms was noticeable at family gatherings, we have no explanation. |
Note: 0 = neurotransmitter release unaffected by activity/drug listed; ↑ = neurotransmitter release increased by that activity/drug; ↓ = neurotransmitter release decreased; ? = uncertainty about effect of activity/drug on neurotransmitter