Most Stressful Hormone - Adrenaline

Today we will analyze the principle of the work of one of the most tangible and powerful mediators that function in the body. Adrenaline is simple to disgrace, in super stressful situations it turns on and saves life. He, like a professional bodyguard, is idle 99% of the time, but at 1%, he works fast, hard, efficiently.

How adrenaline works
The starting materials are amino acids, foods rich in protein. Adrenaline refers to catecholamines, and is the last, strongest link. Norepinephrine and dopamine also apply to catecholamines, but are much softer.

At the time of a sudden stressful situation, this hormone is produced by our adrenal glands. But the development and release of matter into the blood does not mean anything. To work adrenaline, like any other hormone or neurotransmitter, you need to attach to specific receptors on the cell, so that this cell feels strongly that adrenaline has adhered to it like a leech.

All this seemingly complex process takes a fraction of a second. Try to jump into an ice hole and for a second cheer as from the most powerful stimulant.)

Adrenaline receptors

Our body is very intelligent and he himself knows what receptors adrenaline should be attached to. Adrenaline in the body acts as a powerful source of energy, and where to direct energy determine the receptors to adrenaline or adenoreceptors. By the way noradrenaline also works with these receptors.

Alpha-adrenergic receptors

There are 2 of them.

Alpha 1 receptor regulates primarily smooth muscles. These are blood vessels, intestines. So, when adrenaline is attached to alpha1 adrenergic receptors, blood circulation becomes worse, the brain works worse. That's why fright or intense 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 the nerve cells and the part is also on the smooth muscles, and then it's not enough if the alpha 1 does not drag!)

In order not to make a boring lecture, we immediately turn to the effects: suppression of the release of noradrenaline and acetylcholine. Alpha 2 receptor immediately sharply reduces norepinephrine itself. Increase and then a sharp drop in pressure. There is a slowing down of metabolism. In short, you will not want to eat anything in the toilet under the alpha 2 receptors.

Beta-Adrenoceptors

There are 3.

Beta 1. It makes you sweaty, accelerates your heartbeat, promotes fat burning.

Beta 2. This is exactly the receptor that already affects the skeletal muscles, realizing the function "Beat or run". The endurance increases dramatically, it seems to be enough to lift cars, but it seems. Beta 2 adrenoreceptor improves glucose delivery and expands arteries, so the brain also thinks up a little faster. The only thing - for good effects, so as not to feel dizzy and not nauseated - it is important to eat more carbohydrates.

Beta 3. It is present in adipose tissue, when activated, it "hardens" the fat and "heats up" the skeletal muscles, indirectly increasing their efficiency.

It can not be said that in one situation adrenaline and noradrenaline are attached to one receptor, and ignore the other. There is always a percentage distribution. When you are ashamed - adrenaline is produced, when it's scary - it's the same. Only the receptors in the first case cause you to blush, and in the second - to turn pale.

There is another difference in adrenaline and norepinephrine. Once an example was cited that in the body of a lion, a predatory aggressive animal, the production of noradrenaline predominates, while in a cowardly rabbit, epinephrine prevails. This is a slippery topic, but there is some truth.

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

How to increase adrenaline

Usually people do not have problems with raising this hormone, when it should be increased - be sure. Let us dwell on the specific increase in the activity of individual receptors, the so-called agonists. Information is given for informational purposes only.

Alpha 1: Ethylephrine, phenylephrine, synephrine and other -eprin)

Alpha 2: Agmatin, clonidine.

Beta 1: Heart medications, usually use pure adrenaline, or epinephrine, the one that Statham chased in the film.

Beta 2: The territory of ephedrine and DMAA. But they are not pure beta 2 receptor agonists. The most famous beta 2 agonist is clenbuterol.

Beta 3 has very few agonists.

How to reduce Adrenaline
First of all, calm down if there is such an opportunity. It is necessary to look at the situation from the side, and if you do not remember about it in 5 years, it means that you should not bathe. Of course, you can not turn off adrenaline, at the moment of slipping on the ice, some sharp movement will happen anyway. However, in borderline situations, it is better to try not to worry.

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

More light, soft substances for soothing: Selank, L-theanine, Kava, Rhodiola tincture.

But you can not only put pressure on the brake, you can also relax the pressure on the gas. With adrenaline and norepinephrine it means blocking them access to the receptors. Such substances are called adrenoblockers. Stupid list of the names of drugs we will not, but we will stop on one popular adrenoblocker - Yohimbine.

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

Bottom Line:
- Adrenaline is the most perceptible hormone. Slightly weaker - norepinephrine and even weaker - dopamine. Adrenaline rises more when there is a direct threat to life, norepinephrine - when fearful, the feeling before a responsible performance, when there is still a good admixture of dopamine, it is not just scary, but also curious / interesting.

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

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

- Reduce: Adrenoblockers.

Well, adrenaline, norepinephrine and dopamine are a pledge, at least, of a bright, busy life. It is important only does not go into a strong minus. I hope the article was useful!