@emmit - I wanted to let you know that I moved your post here where others were talking about levodopa so that you could join in and hopefully get some input on your questions:

- Recently diagnosed with PD, started levodopa https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/foot-issues

Hoping others in this discussion, such as @sdcz @hopeful33250 @jtes will have some input on this medication for you as far as dopamine effects and side effects.

About the dopamine increase question you had with levodopa, here is a publication, a bit back in time, that talks about that exact subject:

- Levodopa increases memory encoding and dopamine release in the striatum in the elderly https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197458006003824

Also, here is a publication by Dr. Eric Ahlskog, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, about myths and truths about levodopa, which I thought you might find interesting:

- Common Myths and Misconceptions That Sidetrack Parkinson Disease Treatment, to the Detriment of Patients https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(20)30152-X/fulltext

Are you taking levodopa or is your doctor considering it for you? Do you have a Parkinson's diagnosis?