Norepinephrine is an organic compound of the catecholamine family that functions in the body as a stress hormone and wakefulness neurotransmitter. The substance is produced in the adrenal glands and in the brain.
Rage and fear hormones
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 by adrenaline. The level of these substances increases sharply at the time of stress, danger or in other similar situations, constricting blood vessels and increasing blood pressure.
Norepinephrine is the precursor to adrenaline.
How a neurotransmitter is formed
Norepinephrine is primarily produced in the brain, going a long way from dietary phenylalanyl and tyrosine to creating dopamine. Dopamine under the influence of vitamin C is converted into norepinephrine.
This is the main model for mediator formation in the body. There is another option - production of norepinephrine by the adrenal glands. During stress or in extreme situations, corticotropin is released into the blood, which reaches the kidneys. Because adrenaline andnorepinephrine closely interact with each other, in the adrenal glands norepinephrine is synthesized together with epinephrine. This once again proves that feelings of horror and hatred are close and are born from one another.
Norepinephrine is produced by the body only when needed. Immediately after the danger disappears, its production stops.
Why do we need the hormone of vigor
Norepinephrine is the main neurotransmitter of the nervous system that controls a person during times of danger, physical or emotional stress. The hormone, together with adrenaline, triggers the fight-or-flight response, causing a surge of energy, reducing fear and increasing aggressiveness.
At the level of somatic synapses, norepinephrine constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure, increases heart rate. At the same time, the neurotransmitter expands the bronchi and slows down the activity of the gastrointestinal tract so as not to waste energy on digesting food.
In the first two cases, the exciting effect of the hormone of vigor 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 neurotransmitter is not always produced only during stress. Norepinephrine is a hormone of joy and euphoria, well known to gamblers and gamers. During the tense moments of the game, this particular hormone is released.
Let's consider how norepinephrine affects a person, the function of a substance thatoccurs in the body with its excess or deficiency.
Prescribing 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. While some bodily processes are activated, others can be blocked at the same time.
The sympathetic effects of norepinephrine include:
- Activation of the central nervous system during stress due to inhibition of sleep centers in the brain, up to insomnia.
- Inhibition of sensory information, allowing you to concentrate only on currently significant CNS signals.
- Increasing the mobility of the body, accelerating the pace and running, the person does not sit still.
- Strong fixation in the CNS zones of information that once led to success - the so-called positive reinforcement and blocking of negative emotions (negative reinforcement).
- Activation of thinking and the quality of memorization against the backdrop of a little stress. Strong emotions, on the contrary, lead to panic and confusion.
- Reducing the degree of anxiety and the manifestation of aggressiveness. In stressful situations, a person with high levels of norepinephrine will choose to “attack” rather than “run.”
- Severity of bright, positive emotions arising at the moment of emotional stress (excitement, risk, joy of victory).
- Impact on the immune system (under stress, a person is much less likely to get sick).
Besides affecting the nervous system,norepinephrine has a noticeable effect on the internal organs of a person.
In the liver and pancreas increases the production of glucose, which in most cases is a source of energy. It also enhances lipolysis, turning fat into substances that a person needs.
The positive effect of norepinephrine
Improves the absorption of glucose by the muscles, there is energy. The tone of the body increases. The brain works faster, memory and quick wits improve.
Norepinephrine is a predator hormone. In lions and tigers, it is he who dominates adrenaline.
Negative effects of norepinephrine
Constriction of blood vessels causes chaos in thoughts, a person cannot concentrate. Difficulty breathing. There is anxiety, suspiciousness, restlessness, blurred vision, tinnitus.
In some cases, people deliberately increase their norepinephrine levels by watching horror movies or doing extreme sports.
Norepinephrine imbalance
What only humanity does not come up with to increase the production of norepinephrine and get vivid impressions associated with it. Whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, roller coasters, rope jumping - this is an incomplete list of extreme activities that can increase norepinephrine. The hormone can significantly change the general state of the central nervous system by modulating and redirecting the flow of nerve signals. Therefore, it is not difficult to imagine the consequences of both excessive and insufficient production of the mediator.
Forthe first case is characterized by hyperactivity, increased liveliness and mood, increased libido, and insomnia. A very large amount of the hormone leads to excessive aggressiveness, increased blood pressure, pulse rate, feelings of fear and irritability.
In the second case, the lack of a neurotransmitter will cause depression, apathy, memory impairment, lethargy and loss of interest in life. It should be noted that the lack of norepinephrine in the body leads to migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, bipolar disorders. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are also the result of impaired norepinephrine synthesis.
How to balance neurotransmitter levels
To maintain the balance of norepinephrine in the body, it is necessary to establish the flow of a sufficient amount of tyrosine and phenylalanyl. You can do this with the following products:
- chocolate;
- cheese;
- chicken meat;
- sea fish;
- bananas.
Various dietary supplements that increase the synthesis of noradrenaline can only be taken after consulting a doctor.
In addition to nutrition, you can adjust the amount of the neurotransmitter with the help of medications. Medications with antipsychotic characteristics will be helpful for elevated norepinephrine levels.
Antidepressants will help equalize low norepinephrine. The action of these groups of drugs is aimed at regulating the level of emotions.
Conclusion
Norepinephrine is produced to a greater extent indopamine in the brain and, less commonly, the adrenal glands. An excessive amount of norepinephrine greatly increases blood pressure, causing hearing, vision, and intellectual impairment. The lack of a neurotransmitter leads to melancholy, a boring, routine existence without emotions. Therefore, the best option is a balanced level of norepinephrine and a joyful, calm life.
