How does dopamine control blinking?

Dopamine plays a significant role in controlling the rate of blinking, and this is closely linked to attention and focus. Higher levels of dopamine are associated with more frequent blinking. This is because dopamine impacts how we slice time into segments, with each blink acting as a kind of shutter that resets our perception of time. When dopamine levels increase, such as during heightened states of arousal or alertness, people tend to blink more frequently and perceive time as moving more slowly. This can enhance focus and attention by allowing people to process time more finely 1 2.

Conversely, when dopamine levels are low, as is often the case in individuals with ADHD, people blink less and tend to underestimate time intervals, leading to challenges with time management and focus. Therefore, controlling blink rate through training can potentially improve focus and attention 2. Additionally, stimulants like Ritalin, Adderall, caffeine, and even mood can modulate blinking by influencing dopamine levels, thus affecting alertness and focus 3.