The most stress hormone is adrenaline. Adrenaline: all about the hormone

It is also dangerous to use this substance for a long time. Because after a long stress there will be a long recovery of the body. During this period, human immunity is reduced, the development of various infectious diseases or disruption of the heart muscle is likely. She, too, is under stress.

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While at rest, the cells of the adrenal medulla all the time produce a small amount of adrenaline along with norepinephrine. In the case of exposure to the human body of any external or internal factor, there is a jump in the production of adrenaline and norepinephrine. Such factors can be - physical stress, mental stress, infection, etc. In such stressful situations, these hormones play a rather serious regulatory role.

In general, the first organ to respond to stress is the hypothalamus. It is he who sends a signal to the pituitary gland, which in turn produces hormones that are so necessary for almost all tissues and organs. The adrenal glands are the first to capture these hormones. Having picked up the spreading hormones, the organs begin to produce adrenaline, which is called the anxiety hormone. The result of such a reaction is a sharp narrowing of blood vessels, an increase in blood pressure, an increase in heart rate, respiration, an increase in the amount of sugar in the blood.

If a person develops a large number of of this hormone, then it quickly copes with stress. However, there is one but. Such people are almost always in a tense state. If a person has a lack of this hormone, then he constantly suffers at times when something does not go according to plan. There are also people who have a lot of both anxiety hormones and stability hormones. Their mood is constantly changing. Most often, it is impossible to predict their course of thought or action.

Adrenaline or Epinephrine is one of the most important hormones, which is recognized as a product of the work of the adrenal medulla. It appears in the blood at the moment of fright, escape or during a battle, thereby helping a person to overcome this or that difficult life situation. Plus, this hormone also affects the process of blood circulation, the muscular system, as well as the metabolic process of substances in the human body, thereby resembling the action of some biologically active additives. Under the influence of this hormone, there is an increase not only in the frequency, but also in the strength of heart contractions within one minute. Influencing the human body, this hormone, in turn, also changes the frequency and depth of breathing, increases the rate of metabolic processes, improves the functioning of all muscles. It should be noted that muscle fatigue under its influence appears much later.

Along with all the above changes, adrenaline also helps to reduce the blood supply to the urinary organs and the human gastrointestinal tract. At such moments, the muscles of a person acquire a relaxed position, and the sphincters undergo a reverse reaction and begin to contract. The first opinion regarding the release of this hormone was that it is released due to sympathetic nerves. This was the reason that earlier these nerves were called adrenergic. In scientific terms, adrenaline is first released, which subsequently produces adrenaline. With his help, people are struggling with bronchial asthma. It is this hormone that helps to relax the muscles of the bronchi.

The term "stress" has found its wide application, both in everyday life and in various scientific sources. Despite this, no one can say for sure what it is. This word is deciphered as certain reactions of the body that occur when a person is exposed to various kinds of stimuli. There are three types of stress - physical, mental and psycho-emotional. It should be noted that the same stimulus can provoke different reactions of people to it. Some may get angry. Others, when exposed to it, experience a feeling of fear and anxiety.

If stress brought a person into anger, then norepinephrine got into his blood. If he is in an anxious state, then adrenaline is in his blood. That is why adrenaline is called the "cowardly rabbit". Norepinephrine, in turn, is referred to as the "hormone of the lion." Despite the various reactions, however, the human body still begins to fight the existing changes in both cases. Fighting a stressful stimulus, the body undergoes a certain chain reaction, which is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system.

Starting from the first minute of stress, the amount of hormones necessary to combat it increases sharply in the human blood. The sympathoadrenal system is also involved in the fight against external stimuli. This system increases the strength of the body. It is very important that a person sensibly perceives everything that happens. This will help him to overcome any stressful situation much faster.

Everyone knows that many feelings and emotions in almost everything depend on the work of certain hormones. For example, adrenaline is a rather dangerous and aggressive hormone. If there is not enough of this hormone in the human body, then he cannot cope with all the difficulties that life provides him. The amount of this hormone increases with physical exertion, sex, etc. Black tea is also a great stimulant for the production of this hormone. If a person needs to reduce the amount of adrenaline, various soothing infusions consisting of medicinal plants can help him in this.

Thyroxine is the hormone of irritability. An excessive amount of this hormone in the human body leads to its constant nervousness and agitation. However, it also helps in dealing with stressful situations.

Dopamine is another hormone of feelings and emotions. He is an assistant in the case when a person moves to another area, which is characterized not only by a change in climate, but also by a change in the people around him. A small amount of dopamine in the human body can lead to its constant indecision and insecurity in itself and its actions. The use of a complex of vitamins with magnesium and zinc can increase the amount of dopamine.

Norepinephrine is another hormone responsible for a great mood. Depression and eternal longing signal a small amount of norepinephrine in the human body. You can increase the amount of this hormone through the use of vitamins, which include iron, copper, manganese, zinc.

Adrenaline is a drug that is prescribed if a person has any allergic reaction that occurs as a result of the use of a drug. It can also be urticaria, angioedema or anaphylactic shock, or allergies due to the injected serum, insect bites, eating certain allergic products. This drug is also effective in the fight against bronchial asthma, as it helps to stop a coughing fit. Asystole and hypoglycemia are two other diseases that this drug can be used to combat.

Adrenaline is also an excellent remedy in the fight against bleeding from the superficial vessels of the skin and mucous membranes. It is also used for arterial hypotension, various injuries, open heart surgery, and in case of kidney failure. If you need to prolong the effect of local anesthetics, this drug also comes to the rescue. If a person is undergoing eye surgery for open-angle glaucoma, this hormone is also used. This hormone is also used in the treatment of conjunctivitis, pupil dilation, intraocular hypertension, priapism, etc. They also stop bleeding.

In the case of intramuscular or parenteral administration, the drug is absorbed fairly quickly. It should be noted that it is better not to take this hormone during breastfeeding, as it passes into breast milk. Adrenaline is excreted due to the work of the kidneys in the form of sulfates, glucuronides and vanillylmandelic acid.

Brilocaine - adrenaline forte is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor drug. As for pharmacodynamics, the effect of this drug makes itself felt after a maximum of three minutes after its administration. It should be noted that its action lasts about forty-five minutes. This drug is most often used for anesthesia in dentistry during tooth extraction. It is also used for filling the cavity, as well as for grinding teeth under the crown.

Brilocaine-adrenaline forte can be quite safely used in the treatment of women during pregnancy. There are some contraindications for the use of this drug. It should not be used by people who have hypersensitivity to any component of this drug. It is also contraindicated in paroxysmal tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia, bronchial asthma, angle-closure glaucoma, and also if the patient has a severe form of liver failure. If a person has any disease of the central nervous system, Brilocaine - adrenaline forte is also contraindicated for him.

The use of this medication may cause some side effects. Among them is a headache.
For one of the experiments, a frog was taken, which was injected with an adrenaline solution, solutions of calcium chloride and potassium chloride. During the experiment, the frog's spinal cord is destroyed, which is placed on a flat surface with its belly up and fixed there. After that, it is necessary to open the heart and cut the bridle. Ringer's solution is administered first. After a certain period of time, scientists calculate the total number of heart contractions in 60 minutes. After that, two or three more drops of calcium chloride solution are added to this solution. This solution significantly increases the number of heartbeats per minute.

Five minutes later, the frog is given a lavage of the heart cavity, after which two drops of potassium chloride solution are injected, which reduces the heart rate. The cavity of the heart is washed again and two or three drops of adrenaline solution are added to it. It really increases cardiac muscle contraction. Adrenaline is the hormone that is considered to be a fairly powerful stimulant of the heart. In the case when the heart stops, a person is injected into it with nothing more than this hormone. The chemical structure of this hormone resembles sympathin, which occurs at the endings of sympathetic nerves.

This hormone is recognized as a neurotransmitter hormone, which is a representative of the catecholamine group. Possessing the properties of a hormone, it is formed in vertebrates in the region of chromaffin cells, which contain enzymes used for the synthesis of biological and chemical precursors of adrenaline in the form of dopamine and norepinephrine. Plus, they contain an enzyme that forms this hormone from norepinephrine. The main source of this hormone in mammals is the adrenal medulla.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, this hormone was considered almost the most important hormone in the human body. It has also been called the transmitter of sympathetic neurons, as it helps vertebrates to reorganize much faster if necessary. Due to these properties of this hormone, such concepts as the sympathoadrenal system, adrenoreceptors, adrenergic innervation, etc. have appeared in veterinary medicine. Later it was revealed that this hormone is the result of the work of a limited number of chromaffin cells. All remaining chromaffin cells form norepinephrine.

The secretion of this hormone by the adrenal glands into the blood increases in case of stressful situations, hypoglycemia, etc. From all this, we can conclude that adrenaline, in turn, increases oxygen consumption, increases the accumulation of glucose in the blood, and also increases blood flow in the liver area and much more. Studies have shown that the main mediator of such changes in vertebrates is not adrenaline, but norepinephrine.

Hi all! Today we will analyze the principle of operation of one of the most tangible and powerful mediators functioning in the body. Adrenaline is simple to disgrace, in super stressful situations it turns on and saves lives. He, like a professional bodyguard, is idle 99% of the time, but in 1%, he works quickly, hard, and efficiently.

How adrenaline works

The starting materials are amino acids, protein-rich foods. Adrenaline belongs to the catecholamines, and is the last, strongest link. and are similar to catecholamines, but feel much softer.

At the time of a sudden stressful situation, this hormone is produced by our adrenal glands. But the production and release of a substance into the blood does not mean anything. For adrenaline to work, like any other hormone or neurotransmitter, it needs to attach to specific receptors on the cell so that this cell feels sharply that adrenaline has been sucked into it like a leech.

This whole seemingly complicated process takes a fraction of a second. Try to jump into the hole and in a second cheer up as if from the most powerful psychostimulant.)

Adrenaline receptors

Our body is very smart and it knows which receptors adrenaline needs to be attached to. Adrenaline in the body acts as a powerful source of energy, and where to direct the energy is determined by adrenaline receptors or adenoreceptors. By the way, norepinephrine also works with these receptors.

Alpha-adrenergic receptors

The alpha 1 receptor regulates primarily smooth muscle. These are blood vessels, intestines. So, when adrenaline is attached to alpha1 adrenoreceptors, blood circulation becomes worse, the brain works worse. That is why fear or severe stress sometimes causes blanching of the skin and outflow of blood. Norepinephrine works with this receptor to a greater extent than adrenaline.

The alpha 2 receptor is already in our brain on nerve cells and part of it is also on smooth muscles, otherwise alpha 1 won’t drag it out!)

In order not to make a boring lecture, let's go straight to the effects: suppression of the release of norepinephrine and acetylcholine. Alpha 2 receptor immediately sharply reduces norepinephrine itself. An increase and then a sharp decrease in pressure. There is also a slowdown in metabolism. In short, you will not want to eat or go to the toilet under alpha 2 receptors.

Beta-adrenergic receptors

Beta 1. Makes you sweaty, speeds up your heart rate, promotes fat burning.

Beta 2. This is exactly the receptor that already affects the skeletal muscles, realizing the "Fight or flight" function. Endurance sharply increases, it seems that there will be enough strength to lift cars, but it seems that way. Beta 2 adrenoceptor improves glucose delivery and dilates the arteries, so the brain also thinks a little faster. The only thing - for good effects, so that you do not feel dizzy and do not feel sick - it is important to eat more carbohydrates.

Beta 3. It is present in adipose tissue, when activated, it “drowns” fat more strongly and “warms up” skeletal muscles, indirectly increasing their performance.

It cannot be said that in one situation adrenaline and norepinephrine are attached to exactly one receptor, and ignore the other. There is always a percentage allocation. When you are ashamed - adrenaline is produced, when you are afraid - it is. Only receptors in the first case make you blush, and in the second - turn pale.

There is also a difference between adrenaline and norepinephrine. Once an example was given that in the body of a lion - a predatory aggressive animal, the production of norepinephrine predominates, and in a cowardly hare - adrenaline. This is a slippery topic, but there is some truth.

We are used to the fact that character determines the level of our courage and cowardice. On the other hand, the character is also formed from the ratio of different substances that are produced in us. In general, think about this topic)

How to boost adrenaline

Usually people have no problem with the increase of this hormone, when it is necessary it will increase - rest assured. Let us dwell on the specific increase in the activity of individual receptors, the so-called agonists. The information is given for informational purposes.

Alpha 1: Ethylefrine, phenylephrine, synephrine and other ephrines)

Alpha 2: Agmatine, clonidine.

Beta 1: Heart medications, usually using pure adrenaline, or epinephrine, the same one Statham was chasing in the movie.

Beta 2: Territory and . But they are not pure beta 2 receptor agonists. The best known beta 2 agonist is clenbuterol.

Beta 3 have very few agonists.

How to reduce adrenaline

First of all, calm down, if possible. It is necessary, as it were, to look at the situation from the outside, and if in 5 years you don’t even remember about it, it means you shouldn’t take a steam bath. Of course, you can’t turn off the adrenaline, at the moment of slipping on the ice, some kind of sharp movement will still happen. However, in borderline situations, it is better to try not to worry.

There are certain substances that reduce anxiety somewhat, normalizing the condition by raising other hormones and neurotransmitters. It's like in mathematics: stress, adrenaline, cortisol made +5 units to nervousness, and anti-anxiety ones made -2, the average is +3.

Lighter, softer substances for calming:, Kava, tincture.

But you can not only put pressure on the brake, you can also ease the pressure on the gas. With epinephrine and norepinephrine, this means blocking their access to the receptors. Such substances are called adrenoblockers. We will not stupidly list the names of drugs, but we will focus on one popular adrenergic blocker - Yohimbine.

There will be a separate issue for this substance! His interest is that he is both a stimulant and a nootropic. As previously stated, the only receptor that helps lower acetylcholine and norepinephrine is alpha-2. When it is blocked by yohimbine, on the contrary, an increase
norepinephrine and . So, even though it is a blocker, there is more stimulation from it, and acetylcholine will shift part of the stimulation to the intellect. Take note of the substance

Outcome:

Adrenaline is the most tangible hormone. It will be a little weaker - norepinephrine and even weaker - dopamine. Adrenaline is released more when there is a direct threat to life, norepinephrine - when it's scary, the feeling before a responsible performance, when there is still a good admixture of dopamine, it's not just scary, but also curious / interesting.

- The action of adrenaline depends on the work of adrenoreceptors.

- Increase adrenaline and norepinephrine: stress. From substances: Yohimbine, DMAA, Clenbuterol.

- Reduce: Adrenoblockers.

Well, adrenaline, norepinephrine and dopamine are the key to, at least, a bright, eventful life. It is only important not to go into a strong minus. Hope the article was helpful! Good luck and see you soon!)

There is hardly a person who would not have heard anything about adrenaline. The substance is called the hormone of fear and stress. These names are directly related to its action when it enters the human blood. The hormone adrenaline has powerful effect on the body, which mobilizes all physiological systems of organs. it protective action when you need to cope with a stressful situation, and in some cases it really helps to survive. The action of adrenaline has a downside, the work of the body in an "emergency" mode leads to overwork and exhaustion.

How stress hormone gets into the blood

An important component of the human endocrine system are small endocrine glands - adrenal glands. The name of the organs speaks for itself, they are located above the kidneys and are a paired organ. Their length is about 7.62 cm. Adrenaline and its antagonist norepinephrine are hormones that are produced by the adrenal medulla.

The hormone is a neurotransmitter (mediator). The mechanism of action of the active substance is based on signal transmission to the cells of all tissues of the body. In a stressful situation The adrenal glands receive a signal from the hypothalamus of the brain to release the hormone. Adrenaline in the blood in a fraction of a second mobilizes the work of the whole organism.

Functional features

Adrenaline is released in response to danger or an annoying situation. This reaction causes the air passages to expand to provide the muscles with the oxygen they need. to fight danger or run away. The release of the hormone also causes blood vessels to contract, redirecting blood to major muscle groups, including the heart and lungs. body ability feel pain also decreases, therefore, even when injured, the ability to fight the danger remains.

The whole human body under the influence of adrenaline is rebuilt:

• increased heart rate
• blood vessels constrict;
• rises arterial pressure;
• breathing quickens, while the walls of the organs of the respiratory system lose their tone so that the air flow is maximum;
• oxygen and a large amount of sugar activate the synthesis of ATP (a substance that stores energy);
• the walls of the intestines relax;
• decreased vision as the pupils dilate;
• possible dizziness or numbness;
• are blocked pain.

Up to 1 hour adrenaline acts in our blood. Enormous release of energy makes a person act, make decisions quickly, which is extremely important in case of danger, threat to life and health, stress. The muscular system becomes stronger, a person can run at an unusual speed, easily overcome obstacles.

The release of adrenaline is an additional stimulus for the immune system, which works hard to suppress inflammation and possible allergic reactions. Adrenaline is a hormone that saves the body from shock, excitement, anxiety, trauma, dangerous situations, and excessive physical exertion.

In women, the substance occupies a special place in the hormonal background, since it is not only a hormone of fear and stress, but also a hormone of strong emotions.

Positive effect on the human body

In many life situations, the action of adrenaline is necessary. Its beneficial effect can be discussed only in rare cases of the release of the hormone into the blood. The following features are considered useful:

• reaction to stimuli improves by increasing its speed and activating peripheral vision;
• the period of wakefulness increases;
• muscle tone increases: due to the narrowing of blood vessels, adrenaline redirects blood to certain muscle groups, the heart, and the lungs. With such an impact, a person lifts a lot of weight, increases running speed and overcomes long distances;
• in the presence of adrenaline, mental abilities improve, logical thinking quickly works, memory processes are activated, a decision is made almost instantly;
• the body needs a stress hormone to survive severe pain, the pain threshold increases significantly, the load on the central nervous system and the heart decreases. Even in the presence of severe injuries, a person continues to perform certain actions.

English spelling of adrenaline: adrenaline, adrenalin, epinephrine. The last name - epinephrine is often found in medical practice, as it is a synthetic analogue of the adrenal hormone. It is used in anti-shock therapeutic measures. Indispensable substance in cardiac arrest.

Negative effect on the human body

Adrenaline rushes do both good and bad. Everything determines the frequency of entry of the hormone into the blood and its concentration. With frequent releases of the hormone in large numbers, pathologies in the body are observed:

• hit first the cardiovascular system, work in an enhanced mode leads to arrhythmia and other disorders of the heart;
• for people with chronic heart disease, the constant call of adrenaline (stress) is categorically contraindicated, exposure to a large amount of the substance leads to a heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest;
• the action of adrenaline balances the hormone norepinephrine, the release of these two active substances can lead to exhaustion of the human nervous system, there is a breakdown, apathy, inhibition, a state of emptiness. The action of norepinephrine and adrenaline is what is called a biochemical shock;
• prolonged stress with increased adrenaline leads to a stomach ulcer;
• if the hormone is secreted frequently, body weight decreases sharply. The hormone thyroxin has a similar effect.

History of Murray Joan

The famous Murray Joe (born in 1952) was made an extraordinary event from her life. Murray was fond of parachuting. In 1999, she made another jump from a height of 4400 meters, but the main parachute did not open. An additional parachute opened only at an altitude of about 200 meters, the lines got tangled, and at great speed the woman fell onto an anthill with fire ants.

Murray had numerous fractures, all her teeth were knocked out, she received multiple bites, and was unconscious. After severe injuries, she fell into a coma, was unconscious for almost two weeks and survived, paradoxically as it sounds. According to doctors, the stinging stings of the ants contributed to numerous adrenaline rushes. The constant intake of the hormone into the blood has become saving for the woman.

adrenaline addiction

Adrenaline has a lot of special effects that appear when it enters the bloodstream and excite the entire body. This effect is associated with extreme sports or thrill-seekers, such as riding on top of a train.

As with any addiction, in order to experience the peak of pleasure, you need to increase the dosage, which often leads to unpredictable and sad consequences.

The need for a dose of adrenaline arises at the biochemical level and is inextricably linked with mental factors.

Adrenal hormone adrenaline is required for the regulation of body functions, it helps the body to adapt to a stressful situation and get out of it. Frequent releases of adrenaline have negative consequences. In small quantities, its artificial form actively used in medicine.

Among the hormones that help a person to react in time to a dangerous situation, make a decision in a timely manner and survive in emergency conditions, adrenaline plays an important role. Sensing danger, the brain sends a signal about the need to increase the amount of the hormone to the adrenal glands, in which adrenaline is produced, as soon as possible.

And after a few seconds, a huge amount of adrenaline enters the bloodstream, which, by activating physical, mental and mental activity, allows you to quickly and easily overcome a difficult situation.

Adrenaline is produced by the neuroendocrine cells of the adrenal medulla. The main purpose of the hormone is to mobilize all the resources of the body to eliminate a life-threatening or health-threatening situation. If for some reason the adrenal glands cannot release the required amount of the hormone into the blood, a person may not be able to cope with the threat.

The production of adrenaline increases dramatically during stress, danger, anxiety, fear, trauma and shock situations. After the hypothalamus, one of the parts of the brain, gives a signal about the need to increase, hormones are released into the blood in large quantities and within a few seconds are bound by adrenoreceptors that are found in all cells, tissues and organs of a person.

As a result, the body turns off the digestive, genitourinary and other systems for some time, preventing it from reacting and taking response measures. To do this, the smooth muscles of the intestines and bronchi become relaxed, the vessels constrict almost throughout the body, except for the heart and brain, where they expand.

At the same time, the pupils increase, blood pressure rises, and the heartbeat quickens. Adrenaline stimulates the central nervous system, causing psychological mobilization, activity, accelerates the reaction, gives anxiety and tension.

Adrenaline contributes to an increase, which, by enhancing the effect of adrenaline, makes the body more resistant to a stressful situation. In order for the body to receive the amount of energy it needs, adrenaline activates the production of glucose, promotes the breakdown of fats and inhibits their synthesis. When fatigued, the hormone affects the skeletal muscles, allowing the body to withstand prolonged or too strong loads.

Hormone and diseases

Adrenaline can also be activated during inflammatory, infectious processes, allergic reactions: the hormone has a very strong anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect, since it inhibits the release of the mediators that cause them (biologically active chemicals whose task is to transmit a nerve impulse from one cell to another).

He does this by influencing β2-adrenergic receptors, which, when activated, reduce the sensitivity of tissues to pathogens that cause allergies and inflammation, including bronchiole spasm is eliminated and swelling of the mucous membranes is prevented.

To cope with the disease, adrenaline also increases the number of leukocytes in the blood: it releases some of them from the spleen, redistributes some of them during vasoconstriction, and also partially removes incompletely mature leukocytes from the bone marrow depot. Adrenaline also has a stimulating effect on the blood coagulation system. It increases the activity of platelets, which, along with capillary spasm, stop bleeding.

What does overproduction lead to?

Such a strong usually lasts no more than five minutes, after which the amount of the hormone decreases to normal levels. A person feels emptiness, apathy, slow reactions, a feeling of hunger appears, after a while everything returns to normal.

If adrenaline, for some reason, has not returned to normal levels and its level in the blood exceeds the required amount, this causes an increase in the muscular middle layer of the heart (myocardium), as well as skeletal muscles. The breakdown of proteins also increases, muscle mass and strength decrease, a person begins to lose weight, up to exhaustion.

After a while, problems with the cardiovascular system, kidney failure and other internal organs begin. This can be manifested in rapid breathing, increased heart rate.

The long-term effect of adrenaline is also negatively reflected on the nervous system: a person becomes very irritable, nervous, restless, stops correctly assessing the situation, insomnia appears, and the head often feels dizzy. Against this background, a person experiences a constant need for action, and perseverance is almost completely absent.

This happens because, due to an excess of adrenaline, the body continues to be in a stressful situation and many internal organs do not work at full strength, since the hormone has a blocking effect on them. In the body, glucose continues to be produced in excess, which is why it is oversaturated with energy, which, due to the lack of a stressful situation, does not find a way out and splashes out, stimulating the nervous system.

To find out whether an excess or lack of adrenaline is really to blame for constant nervous breakdowns, problems with the heart, pressure, weight loss and other ailments, it is necessary to take tests for hormones. If it turns out that there is too much adrenaline in the body and no serious diseases have been identified, in addition to the medications recommended by the doctor, you need to perform exercises aimed at relieving stress. It can be relaxation, meditation, yoga.

Sports help a lot: the body during exercise processes almost all excess energy, which leads to a decrease to normal levels. If there is no way to go to the gym, you can go for a run or at least squat. Psychologists also often advise discussing a situation that keeps the body under stress with loved ones: this will help put the nervous system in order.

Particular attention should be paid to a healthy diet: eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible, mint helps. It is desirable to exclude coffee, black tea and other drinks stimulating the nervous system from the diet, replacing them with kefir, yogurt, juices.

If it happened suddenly, in order to calm down, you need to focus on breathing, doing deep breath or exhale. If it is possible to lie down, you need to lie on your back and for ten seconds alternately relax and strain the muscles of the legs and arms. A bath with essential oils and sea salt also has a calming effect.

lack of adrenaline

There are situations when tests show that there is not enough adrenaline in the body, which explains the protracted form of depression, melancholy, and a depressed state. Such people often intuitively, in order to compensate for the lack of a hormone, abuse alcohol, drugs, and various psychotropic drugs.

In no case should you do this, and in order to increase the level of the hormone, experts recommend using healthier, body-strengthening methods. These can be medicines selected by the doctor, if there is no desire to use medicines, you can go in for sports and other activities.

It can be hiking, kayaking, descending a mountain river, surfing, diving, parachuting. If it is not possible, you can go to the attractions: high-flying swings, a Ferris wheel, roller coasters raise the level of adrenaline well. The main thing is not to get too carried away and always remember about security measures.

Every person in life happens situations when he is attacked by fear. Someone was almost run over by a car, another almost fell off a roof or balcony, a third caught a child falling on the rails under the train. At this time, something happens to the body, because of which we are able to jump over a two-meter fence or jump on the bandwagon of a departing tram. We are helped by fear, or rather adrenaline (epinephrine). What is adrenaline and how it works, what is it for, we will understand in this article.

Secretion and functions

The adrenal glands produce the fear hormone adrenaline in the body. This happens in a person at a time of stress. In an unexpected, exciting situation, a substance is released that excites a and b-adrenergic receptors located in different organs and tissues of the body.

As a result, the hormone dilates the vessels of the brain, and narrows other vessels of the body. At the same time, blood pressure rises, the skin turns pale, the pupils of the eyes dilate, the heart begins to beat quickly and loudly. The mechanism of action of adrenaline is that the danger signal is received by the hypothalamus - the most important part of the brain. The hypothalamus instantly redirects the message to the adrenal medulla, which responds with a surge of the hormone. Why is this needed?

Epinephrine enters all organs and tissues, developing a person's readiness to respond to a stressful situation. Extreme situations do not always end happily, but the people who survived were helped by the action of adrenaline, this is obvious. It affected the brain, stimulating it to make an instant decision on how to behave in the event of a danger to life. The hormone belongs to catecholamines.

In conditions of work associated with danger, adrenaline is produced in the body permanently. It helps build skeletal muscles, increase myocardium. The hormone stimulates an increase in protein metabolism. This requires high-calorie nutrition, otherwise there will be exhaustion and loss of strength, accompanied by weakening of the muscles. The increase in heart rate with the release of epinephrine contributes to the wear and tear of the heart muscle if the stress is prolonged.

The hormone enters the blood, activating the ability of all organs to work in a critical situation. Treatment with adrenaline is based on this. When the functioning of the internal life support systems stops, the doctor injects the patient with epinephrine, and the system starts up. But the action of the hormone lasts only 5 minutes. During this time, the resuscitator must take measures to save the patient.

Adrenaline in the body also gives us a "second wind". It would seem that the runner on the track, the mother of many children on a walk, the loader carrying heavy bags no longer has the strength left, and suddenly a second wind comes. This means that a person has released a hormone into the blood.

Sensations during the release of the hormone

Feelings depend on the physiology and psychology of a particular person. Many experience fear when adrenaline is released. Their palms sweat, their knees become “cottoned”, their foreheads become covered with cold sweat. In others, the heart beats loudly, the face turns pale, a pulsation is felt in the temples. Someone is dizzy, someone has an unusual clarity of thought and muscle tension. Sometimes all these sensations are grouped in various variations.

Many young people, especially for a surge of adrenaline, go in for traumatic sports - freestyle, skydiving, skiing, windsurfing, hang gliding. These people, who know how to get adrenaline, at the moment of danger feel the feeling of flight, the rise of passions, the intoxicating feeling of controlling their body and defeating the elements.

The interaction of the hormone with human organs and physiological systems

The action of adrenaline on the body brings both benefits and significant harm, depending on the duration of the stressful situation. Emotions aside, this is what adrenaline does in the human body:

• The effect of adrenaline on the heart is to increase the contraction of the heart muscle. At the same time, the pulse speeds up. But strengthening the muscle that pumps blood can give rise to an arrhythmic heartbeat. Increases in blood pressure. In this case, the activity of the heart is inhibited, bradycardia occurs. That is, the initial effect on the heart is stimulating, then inhibitory.
• This hormone affects the nervous system, activating it. Increased degree of wakefulness, mental and physical activity. Feelings of restlessness and anxiety may occur. The hypothalamus at the time of stress increases the amount of cortisol in the heme, which contributes to the adaptation of a person to a situation that is out of ordinary life.
• The hormone stimulates metabolism, increasing the content of some substances in the body and reducing the volume of others. An increased amount of glucose is formed in the hemolymph, the degree of exposure to glycolytic enzymes increases. The hormone increases the destruction of fats, reduces the generation of lipids, enhances protein metabolism.
• Smooth muscles are exposed to various effects from adrenaline, which depends on the type of adrenergic receptors contained in it. The tissues of the respiratory tract and intestines lose tension.
• Skeletal muscle builds up if persistently elevated epinephrine levels are caused by daily strenuous physical work. With increased protein metabolism, the body is depleted.
• The hormone has a hemostatic effect on the blood vessels. This is due to an increase in platelet activity under the influence of epinephrine and the fact that epinephrine constricts small capillaries.

Adrenaline is a strong hormone that influences the secretion of other substances of the same class. Due to the properties of epinephrine, the amount of serotonin, histanin, kinins and other mediators that inhibit allergic reactions in the hemolymph increases. These substances are produced with the help of adrenaline from mast cells.

The hormone also promotes anti-inflammatory processes. It takes part in the prevention of swelling of the mucous membranes.

The benefits of the hormone for people

The benefit of epinephrine is obvious only when its bursts occur in isolated life situations associated with stress. How adrenaline works in extreme cases:

• The response of a person to an instantaneous difficult situation is accelerated. Peripheral vision is activated, making it possible to see ways of salvation.
• The muscular system is stimulated. A person is able to run 2 times faster, jump 2 times higher and further, lift weights more than their own weight.
• Increased dynamism and initiative thinking. Logic instantly works, memory is actively connected, the brain suggests non-standard solutions.
• The airways quickly fill with more oxygen, which also helps to endure huge physical exertion.
• The pain threshold increases. This contributes to the continuation of activities at a critical moment when it is impossible to quit work. For example, when skiing, hang gliding or snowboarding after an injury, when pain interferes with physical actions to save a life. Raising the pain threshold reduces tension in the heart muscle and central nervous system.

After a shocking adventure, it turns out that the person who endured it is terribly tired and hungry. This is an understandable state. You need to eat well and rest. Extra pounds after stress will not increase.

Doctors sometimes use the effects of adrenaline - they inject epinephrine (the active substance of adrenaline) into the patient to protect him from pain shock. During clinical death during surgery, adrenaline is injected into the heart to resuscitate the patient. During pregnancy in women, the hormone is prescribed only as a last resort, when it comes to saving the life of the expectant mother.

The harm of the hormone of fear

As already noted, adrenaline in our blood in constant critical situations is harmful. It is impossible, speaking about the functions of adrenaline, not to say about the following:

• An increase in blood pressure above normal;
• The narrowing of blood vessels and the formation of platelets also negatively affects health;
• Depletion of the brain cells of the adrenal glands;
• Adrenal insufficiency can initiate cardiac arrest;
• A permanently overestimated value of epinephrine in the body threatens with a stomach ulcer;
• Habitual stress and adrenaline production can cause chronic depression.

To suppress the action of adrenaline in the body's hemolymph, it is secreted. Its release also occurs under the influence of non-standard situations in life, but norepinephrine manifests itself by causing apathy in humans, muscle relaxation, and fatigue. This hormone protects our body from overexertion.

A specialist may order a blood test for adrenaline as part of a catecholamine test. This happens with suspicion of tumor diseases of the adrenal glands and nervous tissue, as well as with endocrine disorders and to determine the causes of hypertension in blood pressure. What level of the hormone is normal is indicated in the right column on the form of the result of the study.

What to do with a surge of adrenaline?

If the produced hormone is not associated with an acute life situation, hard work, extreme event, the body needs to “throw out emotions”. Under the influence of adrenaline, a state of irritation and physical malaise is formed. When you feel the above signs of an increase in adrenaline, proceed as follows:

1. Lie down on a bed or sit in a chair so that you are comfortable;
2. Breathe with all your might - inhale through the nostrils for “one”, exhale from the mouth for “1-2-3-4”;
3. Think fun, engage in self-persuasion that you are all right.

If these measures do not help, drink 2 tablets of valerian or motherwort. With frequent stress in people, yoga classes and relaxation exercises help. Your doctor may prescribe norepinephrine injections.