What Adrenaline does in the Body

Adrenaline (also epinephrine), like norepinephrine, which has a similar effect, is a hormone that is also called the stress hormone because it is produced in the adrenal gland in stressful situations and released into the blood. The effect of adrenaline on the organism was of particular importance to our ancestors. This is because the release of adrenaline allows the body to quickly access energy reserves in order to quickly flee or even fight.

Adrenaline and noradrenaline

However, adrenaline is also produced during mental stress in order to quickly adapt the cardiovascular system and metabolism to the situation at hand. The release of adrenaline causes our blood pressure and heart rate to increase, while at the same time dilating the bronchial tubes and increasing blood sugar levels. Normally, adrenaline is quickly released; however, if the stress does not subside, adrenaline and noradrenaline are permanently overproduced, which is detrimental to the heart and circulation.

Adrenaline: effect in medicine

Medicine has long made use of the effect of adrenaline. An important field of application here is especially emergency medicine. Adrenaline is often used as a result of circulatory shock or in the course of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. During resuscitation, adrenaline can have a life-saving effect. The dosage depends on the form of administration; if the epinephrine is administered intravenously, it is usually diluted 1:10 with a 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution. The dosage is higher for endobronchial administration: Here, the ratio is 3:10. In addition to resuscitation, epinephrine is used, for example, as an adjunctive agent in local anesthesia to prolong the anesthetic effect.

Artificial epinephrine: epinephrine.

In addition, epinephrine is often included in nasal sprays because of its vasoconstrictor effect. On the bronchial tubes, epinephrine has a decongestant effect, which is why it was also used to treat bronchial asthma until a few years ago – however, these drugs were no longer approved due to a CFC law passed in 2002. Epinephrine is often listed as epinephrine in medications, which is why epinephrine is sometimes referred to as artificial epinephrine. Athletes should exercise caution when taking drugs containing epinephrine, as the performance-enhancing effect may be considered doping.

Epinephrine: side effects and interactions

Overall, the side effects of epinephrine are consistent with that effect that the stress hormone is intended to produce in an extreme situation – however, depending on the dosage and the patient’s condition, systematic use can lead to serious side effects that are hazardous to health. These include heart failure, circulatory problems in the heart, myocardial infarction and even cardiac arrest. Other side effects may include a decrease in magnesium and potassium levels or elevated blood sugar levels. Headaches, cramps, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness, on the other hand, are among the more harmless side effects. Even the normal effect of adrenaline on the psyche can lead to an exaggeration in the form of nervous restlessness, anxiety, hallucinations and even psychosis. Not only the side effects, but also the interactions with other drugs give reason for caution. The effects and side effects of epinephrine are particularly enhanced by concomitant use of tricyclic antidepressants, reserpine, MAO inhibitors, theophylline, and L-thyroxine. Interactions may also occur in association with antihypertensive medications, antidiabetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Adrenaline rush: addiction to the adrenaline rush.

An adrenaline rush is the name given to the increased release of adrenaline. Athletes in particular use the adrenaline rush to achieve peak performance. Conversely, sports are important for getting rid of adrenaline and thereby balancing hormones, because since we move much less than our ancestors, energy is not sufficiently converted into kinetic energy. Some people become downright addicted to this adrenaline rush, which sends them into a kind of frenzy. The addiction to the kick drives them to unusual hobbies and sports such as bungee jumping, skydiving, rafting or kite surfing. At the same time, some competitive athletes are also exposed to an enormous strain from the adrenaline rush, such as ski jumpers.Although the physical exertion in ski jumping is limited compared to other sports, the athletes are under high tension and sometimes also fear. Since adrenaline releases fat reserves in order to be able to act quickly, a ski jumper can lose as much as two kilos on a tournament day. However, the side effects also include the body becoming highly exhausted and fatigued.