Adrenaline or epinephrine is a hormone that is produced by your adrenal glands in times of need. These days, everyone is familiar with cortisol as a stress hormone, but that’s because our stress is chronic. Adrenaline is needed for the more fun type of stress – snowboarding really fast down a mountain while trying to avoid trees, climbing up a rocky cliff face, or running from animals who want to turn you into dinner. Unlike cortisol, adrenaline comes and goes quickly, leaving you feeling invigorated with a beautiful afterglow when it wears off. Or just dead tired.
Adrenaline Effects
You don’t need to know much about adrenaline to figure out its effects. When someone scares you or when you do something exhilirating, your body responds as though it is under attack. Everything that happens prepares to either run away or fight, hence why adrenaline is often referred to as the fight-or-flight hormone.
To get more oxygen and sugar to your muscle cells, your heart beats faster, your breathing rate increases, and your liver releases extra sugars into your blood stream. But we’re only just getting started. Your pupils also dilate so your retinas get more light, thus you see better. Blood is redirected from your digestive tract to your muscles becaue who needs to be breaking down food when the priority it so run or punch?
Epinephrine In An Emergency
Your airway is lined with muscles that constrict or relax depending on what you breathe in. People with severe allergies can experience anaphylactic shock and their airway completely closes up. Since adrenaline opens up your airway to provide more oxygen to your lungs, giving someone in anaphylactic shock a shot of adrenaline can save their life and get them to a hospital for treatment. Another name for adrenaline is epinephrine, so these shots are in devices called epi pens.
Adrenaline Rush
Looking for a rush of adrenaline without the risk of breaking bones and hurting yourself? We’ve got you covered with our adrenaline necklace. It’s a great piece for those nerve-wracking date nights where you feel like you’re sitting through an interview and just want to “fight or flight” as soon as possible. It’s also perfect to wear under your clothes as you fly down a mountain, throwing up powder everywhere. Purchase our adrenaline piece for yourself or for a friend. It also makes a great gift for skiers and snowboarders, roller coaster junkies, horseback riders, and those who love the thrill of life.
written by Science with Evie
