Introduction:
Did you know that the human body can give itself a power boost without the use of any substances? According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone. It plays an important role in your body’s “fight-or-flight” response. It is also used as a medication to treat many life-threatening conditions." In many cases this fight or flight response is used to avoid any dangers that are presented in the environment. In order to further understand the adrenaline response we will be looking into the biological and cognitive side of adrenaline and how our bodies and mind respond to it.
Biological Pillar of Adrenaline:
The hypothalamus, also know as the control/command center of the brain, communicates with the rest of the body through the autonomic nervous system. This part of the brain is usually what controls our involuntary body functions such as breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat, and the dilation or constriction of key blood vessels and small airways in the lungs called bronchioles. There are two types of components in the autonomic nervous system, there is the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. According to Harvard Health, "The sympathetic nervous system functions like a gas pedal in a car. It triggers the fight-or-flight response, providing the body with a burst of energy so that it can respond to perceived dangers. The parasympathetic nervous system acts like a brake. It promotes the "rest and digest" response that calms the body down after the danger has passed." And so with the activation of the sympathetic nervous system caused by adrenaline in reaction towards danger, the body turns on it's fight or flight response. Also according to Cleveland Clinic, "During the fight-or-flight response, you (your brain) perceive danger. Next, nerves in an area of your brain called the hypothalamus send a signal down your spinal cord, then out to your body. The neurotransmitter that transmits your brain’s nervous system message of what to do is norepinephrine (noradrenaline). The neurotransmitter noradrenaline reaches the following organs and tissues and causes these rapid body reactions:
- Eyes: Pupils dilate to let more light in to better see more of your surroundings.
- Skin: Skin turns pale as blood vessels receive a signal to divert blood to areas more in need of your blood’s oxygen, such as your muscles, so you can fight or run away.
- Heart: Heart pumps harder and faster to deliver more oxygenated blood to areas most in need, like your muscles. Blood pressure also increases.
- Muscles: Muscles receive more blood flow and oxygen so they can react with greater strength and speed.
- Liver: Stored glycogen in your liver is converted to glucose to provide more energy.
- Airways: Breathing is deeper and faster. Your airways open up so more oxygen is delivered to the blood, which goes to your muscles."
Cognition Pillar of Adrenaline:
Memory:
When our body activates the "Adrenaline Rush" or the "Fight or Flight Response," memory has a lot to do with the activation. Having memory of understanding a threat or danger that can harm the body or puts stress upon it is what gets the mind and body in that fight or flight response, it is what gives us that sudden burst of adrenaline.
Perception:
Perception likes to connect with our emotions and the way that we view certain aspects and situations. When our body activates the "Adrenaline Rush" or the "Fight or Flight Response," the emotion that our body is feeling is stress or high alert. These feelings tend to also have an influence in the activation of adrenaline and the way that our body responds to a threat or danger.
Intelligence:
Intelligence in the "Adrenaline Rush" or the "Fight or Flight Response," is basically the way that our body uses it's knowledge which is stored in the brain to make quick split decision when feeling a threat or danger. Our body and mind makes the decision to either stay and defend itself depending on the threat or danger, or it could also chose to flee from the threat or danger.
When our body activates the "Adrenaline Rush" or the "Fight or Flight Response," memory has a lot to do with the activation. Having memory of understanding a threat or danger that can harm the body or puts stress upon it is what gets the mind and body in that fight or flight response, it is what gives us that sudden burst of adrenaline.
Perception:
Perception likes to connect with our emotions and the way that we view certain aspects and situations. When our body activates the "Adrenaline Rush" or the "Fight or Flight Response," the emotion that our body is feeling is stress or high alert. These feelings tend to also have an influence in the activation of adrenaline and the way that our body responds to a threat or danger.
Intelligence:
Intelligence in the "Adrenaline Rush" or the "Fight or Flight Response," is basically the way that our body uses it's knowledge which is stored in the brain to make quick split decision when feeling a threat or danger. Our body and mind makes the decision to either stay and defend itself depending on the threat or danger, or it could also chose to flee from the threat or danger.