Norepinephrine is an organic compound of the catecholamine family that functions in the body as a stress hormone and a wakeful neurotransmitter. The substance is produced in the adrenal glands and in the brain.
Hormones of rage and fear
Adrenaline and norepinephrine are very similar and are often confused. In its chemical structure, norepinephrine is somewhat different from epinephrine, but its effect on the body as a mediator is greatly enhanced due to adrenaline. The level of these substances increases sharply at the time of stress, danger or in other similar situations, narrowing blood vessels and increasing blood pressure.
Norepinephrine is a precursor to adrenaline.
How is a neurotransmitter formed?
Basically, norepinephrine is produced in the brain, going a long way from phenylalanil and tyrosine, which is ingested with food, to create dopamine. Dopamine under the influence of vitamin C turns into norepinephrine.
This is the main model of mediator formation in the body. There is another option - the production of norepinephrine by the adrenal glands. During stress or in extreme situations, corticotropin is released into the bloodstream and reaches the kidneys. Since adrenaline and norepinephrine interact closely with each other, norepinephrine is synthesized in the adrenal glands together with epinephrine. This proves once again that feelings of horror and hatred are close and one from another is born.
Norepinephrine is produced by the body only if necessary. Immediately after the danger disappears, its production ceases.
What is the need for the hormone of vitality
Norepinephrine is the main mediator of the nervous system that controls a person during danger, physical or emotional stress. The hormone, together with adrenaline, triggers the “attack or run” reaction, causing a surge of energy, reducing feelings of fear and increasing aggressiveness.
At the level of somatic synapses, norepinephrine constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and strengthens heart contractions. At the same time, the mediator expands the bronchi and inhibits the activity of the digestive tract so as not to waste energy on digesting food.
In the first two cases, the stimulating effect of the hormone of vitality is manifested. No wonder norepinephrine is a constant companion of racers, stuntmen, surfers and other lovers of dangerous sports.
Without norepinephrine, a living organism becomes defenseless, lethargic and passive, unable to fend for itself.
However, the mediator is not always produced only during stress. Norepinephrine is a hormone of joy and euphoria, well known to gamblers and gamers. In tense moments of the game, this hormone is released.
Consider how norepinephrine affects a person, the function of a substance that occurs in the body with its excess or deficiency.
Administration of norepinephrine
The action of the neurotransmitter on the body is to change the state of organs, contributing to their greater activity and mobility, improving sensory perception, emotions and memory. However, the effect of exposure can be complex. Despite the fact that some body processes are activated, others at the same time can be blocked.
The sympathetic effects of norepinephrine include:
- CNS activation during stress due to inhibition of sleep centers in the brain, up to insomnia.
- Slowing down sensory information, allowing you to concentrate only on the currently significant central nervous system signals.
- Increasing the mobility of the body, accelerating stride and running, a person does not sit still.
- Strong consolidation of information in the zones of the central nervous system, which at one time led to success - the so-called positive reinforcement and blocking of negative emotions (negative reinforcement).
- Activation of thinking and quality of memorization against the background of a little stress. Strong emotions, on the contrary, lead to panic and confusion.
- Decrease in degree of anxiety and manifestation of aggressiveness. In stressful situations, a person with a high level of norepinephrine will choose "attack" rather than "run."
- The severity of bright, positive emotions that arise at the time of emotional stress (excitement, risk, the joy of victory).
- Impact on the immune system (under stress, a person is much less likely to get sick).
In addition to affecting the nervous system, norepinephrine has a noticeable effect on the internal organs of a person.
In the liver and pancreas, the production of glucose increases, which in most cases is a source of energy. Lipolysis is also enhanced, turning fat into substances necessary for humans.
Positive effect of norepinephrine
Muscle glucose uptake improves, energy appears. The tone of the body rises. The brain works faster, memory and quickness improve.
Norepinephrine is a predator hormone. In lions and tigers, it is he who dominates adrenaline.
Negative effect of norepinephrine
The narrowing of blood vessels causes chaos in thoughts, a person can not concentrate. Difficulty breathing. There is anxiety, suspiciousness, anxiety, blurred vision, tinnitus.
In some cases, people deliberately increase the level of norepinephrine by watching horror films or engaging in extreme sports.
Norepinephrine Imbalance
That only humanity does not come up with to increase the production of norepinephrine and to obtain vivid impressions associated with it. Rafting along stormy rivers, climbing, roller coasters, rojumping - this is an incomplete list of extreme activities that can increase norepinephrine. The hormone can significantly change the general condition of the central nervous system, modulating and redirecting the flow of nerve signals. Therefore, it is not difficult to imagine the consequences of both excessive and insufficient production of a mediator.
The first case is characterized by hyperactivity, increased vitality and mood, increased libido, and insomnia. A very large amount of the hormone leads to excessive aggressiveness, increased blood pressure, heart rate, a sense of fear and irritability.
In the second case, a lack of a neurotransmitter will cause depression, apathy, memory impairment, lethargy and a loss of interest in life. It should be noted that a lack of norepinephrine in the body leads to migraines, the appearance of chronic fatigue syndrome, and bipolar disorder. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are also a consequence of impaired synthesis of norepinephrine.
How to balance the level of a neurotransmitter
In order to maintain the balance of norepinephrine in the body, it is necessary to establish the intake of a sufficient amount of tyrosine and phenylalanil. This can be done using the following products:
- chocolate;
- cheese;
- chicken's meat;
- sea fish;
- bananas.
Various dietary supplements that increase the synthesis of norepinephrine can be taken only after consulting a doctor.
In addition to nutrition, you can adjust the value of the neurotransmitter using medications. With elevated levels of norepinephrine, drugs with antipsychotic characteristics will be useful.
Antidepressants will help level out lowered noradrenaline. The action of these groups of drugs is aimed at regulating the level of emotions.
Conclusion
Norepinephrine is more commonly produced in the brain from dopamine and less commonly by the adrenal glands. Excessive amounts of norepinephrine greatly increase blood pressure, causing impaired hearing, vision, and impaired intelligence. The lack of a neurotransmitter leads to longing, a boring, routine existence without emotions. Therefore, the best option is a balanced level of norepinephrine and a joyful, calm life.