€ 190
Still questions? Contact us
Dopamine serotonin earrings | 18k gold vermeil
Dopamine and serotonin together cover most of what mood-related psychiatry deals with. One molecule for pursuit and reward, the other for steadiness and equilibrium. Worn as a pair on hoops, they read as a quiet shorthand for the two systems that the SSRI and DRI eras of psychopharmacology taught the world about.
The Chemistry of Dopamine and Serotonin
Both are monoamine neurotransmitters synthesised from aromatic amino acid precursors. Dopamine starts as tyrosine, runs through L-DOPA via tyrosine hydroxylase (the rate-limiting step of catecholamine synthesis), and is released at the synapses of the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and arcuate nucleus. Serotonin starts as tryptophan, runs through 5-HTP via tryptophan hydroxylase, and originates in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem. Pharmacologically, the two molecules cover most of the major mood and reward circuitry: SSRIs raise serotonergic tone, methylphenidate and amphetamines raise dopaminergic tone, atypical antipsychotics block specific dopamine and serotonin receptor subtypes. Parkinson's disease is a dopaminergic illness, depression and anxiety are largely framed in serotonergic terms, and most of psychopharmacology rests on this two-axis shorthand.
Worn By
The audience clusters around mood, reward, and clinical psychiatry:
- psychiatrists and clinical psychologists
- neuroscientists studying mood, reward, or addiction circuitry
- pharmacologists working on monoamine systems
- medical students and residents through psychiatry rotations
- partners and family members of mental health clinicians
Most often bought as a graduation gift for someone finishing a psychiatry residency, or as a thank-you for a long-running therapist or psychopharmacologist.
Explore Related Molecules Jewelry
- Dopamine-serotonin necklace V | silver
- Dopamine necklace V | silver
- Serotonin necklace V | silver
- Molecule jewelry collection
FAQ
Will a psychiatrist actually wear these?
Quite often, yes. The two-molecule reference is one of the more recognised pieces of professional shorthand in psychiatry, and the earring format keeps the science legible without making the wearer a walking textbook. Psychiatrists, addiction specialists, and clinical psychologists tend to be the strongest cluster. Mood and reward research scientists are the second.
Why are dopamine and serotonin always discussed together?
Because most of clinical psychiatry sits at the interaction of the two systems. Dopamine drives motivation, reward, and goal-directed behaviour. Serotonin modulates mood, anxiety, and impulse control. Most antidepressants, antipsychotics, and stimulants act on one or the other or both. Pairing them is shorthand for the combined picture of mood and motivation that psychiatry actually treats, even though the underlying biology is more complicated than the pairing suggests.
What is the size, material, and earring type?
15 mm molecular charm in 18k gold vermeil (sterling silver core with 2.5 micron gold plating), nickel-free, on 17.5 mm gold vermeil hoops. Ships free worldwide via DHL Express in 1-5 business days, with all import duties prepaid. Comes in a ready-to-gift jewelry box with the 30-day “Love It or Return It” policy.
Is there a silver version of these earrings?
Yes, in the catalog under a separate listing as a silver mix-and-match pair. The catalog also has the dopamine-serotonin necklace in silver and gold, and dopamine-serotonin earring hoops in silver, if a paired set across formats is the goal.
Molecules
Delve into the hidden elegance of science with our meticulously crafted jewelry, inspired by the intricate structures of chemical molecules. Each piece serves as a tactile tribute to the building blocks of life and matter, capturing the allure of atoms and bonds in precious metals. A harmonious fusion of art and science, these creations are more than mere accessories; they're a celebration of the enigmatic beauty that underpins our universe.
Find your perfect fit
Necklace length guide
