I think 'dopamine' is pop-science shorthand for a specific mechanism in the brain...
"Neurotransmitters are synthesized in specific regions of the brain, but affect many regions systemically. The brain includes several distinct
dopamine pathways, one of which plays a major role in the motivational component of
reward-motivated behavior. The anticipation of most types of rewards increases the level of dopamine in the brain,
[4] and many
addictive drugs increase dopamine release or block its
reuptake into neurons following release.
[5"
"In
popular culture and media, dopamine is often portrayed as the main chemical of pleasure, but the current opinion in pharmacology is that dopamine instead confers
motivational salience;
[6][7][8] in other words, dopamine signals the perceived motivational prominence (i.e., the desirability or aversiveness) of an outcome, which in turn propels the organism's behavior toward or away from achieving that outcome.
[8][9"
"While dopamine has a central role in causing "wanting," associated with the appetitive or approach behavioral responses to rewarding stimuli, detailed studies have shown that dopamine cannot simply be equated with hedonic "liking" or pleasure, as reflected in the consummatory behavioral response."
"
direct electrical stimulation of dopamine pathways, using electrodes implanted in the brain, is experienced as pleasurable, and many types of animals are willing to work to obtain it.
[66] Antipsychotic drugs reduce dopamine levels and tend to cause
anhedonia, a diminished ability to experience pleasure.
[67] Many types of pleasurable experiences—such as sexual intercourse, eating, and playing video games—increase dopamine release"
"
Cocaine, substituted amphetamines (including
methamphetamine),
Adderall,
methylphenidate (marketed as
Ritalin or
Concerta), and other
psychostimulants exert their effects primarily or partly by increasing dopamine levels in the brain by a variety of mechanisms.
[103] "
etc etc
