Adrenaline, the hormone that activates us

What psychic and physiological processes does adrenaline regulate?

The adrenalinealso known as epinephrineis one of those multipurpose substances that our body uses to regulate different bodily processes.

It is a hormone, as it travels through the blood to reach different areas of the body and perform its task in the farthest corners of the body, but it is also a neurotransmitter. it is also a neurotransmitterwhich means that it acts as an intermediary in the communication between neurons that is established in the synaptic spaces.

Below you can read the main characteristics of adrenaline and the functions it fulfills in our brain and beyond. brain and beyond.

Where is adrenaline found?

Adrenaline is produced by our body, specifically in the adrenal glands. adrenal glands which are located above the kidneys. However, it can also be synthesized in laboratories to create drugs administered in cases of medical emergency. The latter, in itself, serves to give us an idea of the importance of a substance such as adrenaline, which is involved in several of the most basic survival processes, for our organism.

Adrenalin: the substance of activation

It is true that adrenaline has many functions, but that does not mean that we cannot recognize a more or less clear pattern in the different effects it has on us. This pattern can be summarized as follows: adrenaline is the hormone and neurotransmitter of situations in which we have to be alert and activated.. In other words, adrenaline predisposes us to react quickly and prepares us to get the most out of our muscles when it is necessary to move with a certain speed, either because of the danger we are in or because we are in situations where we have the opportunity to gain something if we are agile enough.

Adrenaline prepares us for situations in which we need to be especially activated both physically and psychologically. That is why it can be said that adrenalin triggers survival mechanisms that are triggered in emergency situations, such as those in which we perceive danger or have to react quickly.

Different activation mechanisms

Adrenaline does not act globally by activating our organism, since there is no single "spring" that puts us in this state of alert. Instead, it goes to different parts of the body to produce different effects which, in their interaction with each other and with the rest of the vital functions, result in the activation of activation. 

The most important alertness processes that adrenaline triggers when secreted in relatively high amounts are these:

1. it dilates the pupils

Adrenaline causes the pupils to dilate, so that more light enters and we are more aware of what is going on around us. of what is going on around us. This is a biological mechanism that for millions of years has helped us adapt to our environment and react quickly to potential dangers.

2. Dilates blood vessels

Thanks to adrenaline, the blood vessels most closely related to the vital organs widen, while those that are thinner and close to the outer layer of the skin are compressed (giving us a somewhat pale appearance), since they are not so important and in dangerous situations could break. The result is an increase in blood pressureThe result is an increase in Blood Pressure and greater resistance to possible attacks or accidents.

3. Mobilizes glycogen

The release of adrenaline is related to the decomposition of glycogen, which is the energy that is reserved in the muscles and other parts of the body for the most physically demanding moments. The consequence of this is that the concentration of glucose in the blood ready to be burned (e.g. in case of imminent danger) is increased..

4. Increases the heart rate

Makes the heart rate become faster. so that we can cope with large efforts more easily.. By pumping more blood, our muscles are better supplied with oxygen, so they can perform greater efforts.

5. It slows down the movement of the intestines

It slows down the intestinal movement, since it consumes energy that is not so necessary in moments of alertness.. A way to ensure that energy is concentrated in the muscles.

6. Increases the rate at which we breathe

Adrenaline increases the rate at which we breathe in and out, to better oxygenate the blood and perform better physically.. This allows us to react in a more energetic way to stimuli that indicate danger, despite the fact that a minute before we were in a state of rest.

7. Consolidates long-term memories

There are studies that suggest a role for adrenaline in consolidating certain learning in the emotional memory, so that it is easier to retrieve them in the long term.

Physiological and psychological effects

As with all hormones and neurotransmitters, it cannot be said that adrenaline has effects only on the "rational" dimension of our psyche, just as it does not have effects exclusively on our emotional side.

The functions it performs are both physiological (such as the regulation of blood pressure or respiratory rate and dilation of the pupils) as well as psychological. psychological (keeping us alert and more sensitive to any stimulus), since both domains overlap.

Excess adrenaline also pays for itself

A excess of adrenaline does not come free for our organism. Upward imbalances in the levels of this substance can generate hypertension, headache, temperature increase and symptoms associated with anxiety disorders or chronic stress, such as nausea, tremors or sleeping problems. In addition, adrenaline spikes can cause vision to become more blurred as they increase the pressure in the brain.as they increase the pressure in the eyes.

This is something we should take into account when assessing the quality of our lifestyle. Being very active all day long may be more or less productive depending on the person and the context, but it is certainly not healthy. The body needs rest and that is why we should pay attention to the signals we should pay attention to the signals our body sends us in the form of tiredness and sleepiness. in the form of tiredness and sleepiness.

Bibliographic references:

• Cahill L, Alkire MT (March 2003). "Epinephrine enhancement of human memory consolidation: interaction with arousal at encoding". Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. 79 (2): pp. 194 - 198.
• Martin, J.H. (1997). Neuroanatomía. Texto y Atlas. Madrid: Prentice Hall.
• Netter, F.H. (1999). Sistema Nervioso: Anatomía y Fisiología. Madrid: Masson.
• Paradisis, M.; Osborn, D. A. (2004). Adrenaline for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants with cardiovascular compromise. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1): CD003958.
• Soler, M. (Ed.). (2003). Evolución. La base de la Biología. Granada: Proyecto Sur de Ediciones.