Medical conditions that cause an overproduction of adrenaline are rare, but can happen. Excessively high levels of the hormone due to stress without real danger can cause heart damage, insomnia, and a jittery, nervous feeling. When no danger is present, that extra energy has no use, and this can leave the person feeling restless and irritable.

Also, adrenaline causes a release of glucose, which a fight-or-flight response would use. This can create feelings of dizziness, light-headedness, and vision changes. After the stress has subsided, adrenaline’s effect can last for up to an hour.Īdrenaline is an important part of your body's ability to survive, but sometimes the body will release the hormone when it is under stress but not facing real danger. Adrenaline causes a noticeable increase in strength and performance, as well as heightened awareness, in stressful times. The body's ability to feel pain also decreases as a result of adrenaline, which is why you can continue running from or fighting danger even when injured. Adrenaline also triggers the blood vessels to contract to re-direct blood toward major muscle groups, including the heart and lungs.

This reaction causes air passages to dilate to provide the muscles with the oxygen they need to either fight danger or flee. What is the Function of Adrenaline?Īdrenaline triggers the body's fight-or-flight response.

Within a couple of minutes during a stressful situation, adrenaline is quickly released into the blood, sending impulses to organs to create a specific response. Adrenaline is produced in the medulla in the adrenal glands as well as some of the central nervous system's neurons.

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