The first person to isolate and identify the adrenaline substance in 1895 was in fact a Polish physiologist - Napoleon Cybulski. Napoleon called it “nadnerczyna” back then.
Adrenaline helps our bodies adjust to sudden stress factors. When a person becomes frightened or angry, adrenaline is released into the blood. The hormone causes changes in the body to make it more efficient for “fight or flight” response.
The “fight or flight” response is a rapid and severe stress response. It’s an instinct that we cannot control. The aim of it is quite simple in fact - to keep us safe. Humans utilize adrenaline as a survival technique, our bodies are preparing for fight or flight, even though the situation may call for neither. Still, it’s a vital part of our most basic survival mechanism.
The “fight or flight” response alarms us and prepares our body for an action. It can either be a fight when faced with a sudden danger, or a runaway when fighting isn't an option. Thanks to the “fight or flight” response people are able to push their bodies to the limit. The danger triggering an adrenaline rush can be real or imagined. Whatever the reason is stress causes adrenaline to be produced.
“Adrenaline increases the strength and rate of the heartbeat and raises the blood pressure. It also speeds up the conversion of glycogen into glucose, which provides energy to the muscles.” (source: http://hubpages.com)
Alcohol and some drugs are also sources of adrenal hormones production that gives us the same rush effect when facing a real-live danger. It’s been proven that substances like heroin, caffeine and cocaine create a dopamine hormone, which might result in a feeling of being “high on adrenaline” which can be highly addictive.
Adrenaline can also be used to treat some cases of sickness. “Epinephrine injection is used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs, and other allergens. Epinephrine is also used to treat exercise-induced anaphylaxis.” (source: http://www.drugs.com)
Discussion topics:
- When is the last time you've faced a situation which in turn resulted in a "fight or flight" reaction? Did you fight or flight?
- Are you one of the people who are highly motivated and get a rush when faced with a stressful situation?
- Taking into account that we live in a developing, civilized and computerized society, do you think humans will ever degenerate the adrenaline hormone that helped us survive for ages?
I don't remember last dangerous situation, I always try to stay calm and selfcontrolled, but I remember when I was defending my first diploma, I was so scared I felt all my muscles are strained and I couldn't change it for whole 4 hours. Whene everything was finished I felt so big pain, just like after exercise session, you know muscle sores. It was weird.
ReplyDeleteI also remember when my dog, when he was a puppy got sic and was in pain all night, and although I was after whole night party I couldn't sleep, I was so worried about him.
As for second question I can't really answer, I don't know. Sometime I got panic and sometimes I don't.
I believe we won't lost this ability, it's very useful since we can't fully control our body.
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ReplyDeleteI don't like to risk. I rather try to avoid situation which can be danger for me. Honestly I don't remeber last situation when I must choose between "fight or flight". In most cases I try to go across my life safety because I love my life! I remember one situation when i really feel adrenaline. It was when I was young. I drive my litlle motorbike when suddenly very agresive dog run away from owner and started to chase me. Then I really feel adrenaline because my heart was beating wildly.
ReplyDeleteWhen I have to I can motivate my safe. But of course I try to avoid this kind of stressful situations.
I think that adrenaline was, is and will be always. It was always something that helped people survive. I think that it needed for us and without it our lifes will be vulnerable.
I'm pretty sure that all of us remember fight or flight situations for a long time, and even though sometimes they might seem dreadful at first, personally I enjoy them. It's a very strong emotional feeling, that is absolutely extraordinary in our everyday lives.
ReplyDeleteAdrenaline is highly addictive, there are many people who specifically take increasing risk just to produce more adrenaline ... it is not good ..
ReplyDeleteIt is probable that over time humans may disappear release of adrenaline in relation to unstressful lifestyle.
You said that andrenaline can be used to treat some cases of sickness... I instantly recalled all the action movies, where the main character gets in contact with a higly toxic gas or a chemical weapon :) and has to inject the adrenaline straith into the heart. Heheh I think it was movie "The Rock" with Nicholas Cage.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think the human species degenerate the adrenaline. I believe that the only thing that change is the definition of the "serious situation" when we have to decide whether to fight or flight.
Hundreds years ago the adrenaline helped our ancestors to save their skin while they were hunting. But nowadays the straight forward equivalent of such situation could also be a presentation at scholl or anything else that seems to us silly. It's very personal thing :)
Really I don' remember when I had situation that the hormone made my body more efficient for “fight or flight” response.The good example is like on the movie when there is fire and adrenaline prepared fireman body for action. This chemical is a stimulant that has a powerful effect, but only for a short period because it quickly degrades. All these adrenaline effects help support your body to do whatever it takes to reach safety. What I like that when releasing adrenaline your body releases dopamine and can act as a natural pain killer. That topic remind me movie "Crank" where the main actor must keep his adrenaline flowing constantly in order to keep himself alive. What will happen in the future I don't know everything is possible.
ReplyDeleteI really value my health therefore I'm rarely facing such situations. But when I do I'm trying to fight. Of course it depends on the situation. When facing a big and angry dog on my way I prefer to avoid him. When you consider exams a fight or flight situation then I can say for sure that I'm going to fight.
ReplyDeleteI consider myself a motivated person therefore stressful times are not a big threat to me. I try to stay calm and do my work.
In my opinion we are not even close to degenerate adrenaline. It took milions of years for mother nature to develop it so I think it is highly doubtful we can change it in a matter of years. Newest researches show that stress level affects people differently depending on their job. Least stressful jobs are IT specialists and dentists :)
I cannot remember the last time I was in such a "fight or flight" situation, I rather try to stay calm and focused on what I can do in a stressful situation. On the other hand I'm rather easily stressed by the aggression and stressful reactions of others (even if I'm rather safe).
ReplyDeleteI'm motivated mostly by the vision of outcome of what I have to do. Clear goals and measurable potential benefits are my main sources of motivation. Too much adrenaline is not helpful, as it disallows me to stay focused for longer periods of time.
I think, that in our society, there are still too much physical aggression and the situations, where adrenaline saves our lives (for instance, it allows to act quickly and instinctively to avoid accidents). I've heard about a woman, who was backing her car along a driveway and ran over her child, who was playing in front of the house and wasn't visible in the rear window. She (being "high on adrenaline") managed to literally lift the car to save her child.
I can't remember now if I was in this type of situation. There is many situations where I need to stay calm and think rationally then base on my instinct.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion stress isn't good for taking any decision. I prefer to make my decision after some thoughts, not in one moment.
I think the adrenaline hormone is still useful in our society. There still are countries where people live in primitive conditions and they often need to protect their live and fight with the power of nature.
In more civilized countries there also dangerous jobs like firefighter or soldier where I think adrenaline can help save a life.
In my all life always was adrenaline, because I had from 25 years training so many sports, also japanese swordship and chanbara. You can see here what is chanbara: http://chanbara.pl/ I've training it in 4 years and competed in many competitions then i kno when I'm at adrenaline state ;) When I stand to the fighting I'm calming completely in my heart and mind and try to beat your opponent as soon as possible. I achieved this after many years of training, as previously it was a dangerous situation, it made me paralyzed by fear.
ReplyDeleteNow I don't remember if I was at "fight or flight" situation, but if I know that I've chance to win, then stay for fight. I haven't in my all life done to beat someone or something and I hope so in future I won't be at situation to need to beating or killing to save my life or someone else. It aren't my nature, but we know people have agressive nature..
I think most of us have experienced adrenaline during stress. Our life style and even the food we eat leads to stress - too much work, and even drinking a lot of caffeine or eating sugar.
ReplyDeleteSome people deliberately postponed the work until the last minute to bring the stress resulting from the approaching deadline. But when we skillfully combat stress will act to mobilize us. When our stress level is low, our productivity is also low because we're bored, we lack concentration and motivation
Last time I remember facing "fight or flight" situation was while climging in Jura. I have fear of heights and in half way up I felt paralized. I didn't know what to do, flight - which ment go down, or fight which ment go up. I fought! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm a person who can work very well in stressful situations but it doesn't mean I like every of them. I like situations when I feel as I'm in danger, for example while practising some extreme sports. I don't like get stressed while working or writing a test.
I think humans still need adrenaline. We use it even while we haven't enough time to complete some task and gain more power. We think faster. It's not only used to improve our physical abilities but for those connected with mind too.
So. in conclusion, I think adrenaline will stay with humans for ages.
The last situation I can remember was an attack by a dog. It was very stressful, so surely has been released in large quantities of adrenaline in my body. My reaction was a counter attack, took the stones to defend themselves. But in the end I was even willing to do much harm. Eventually, the dog feared and ran away. For me it was an unusual reaction on every day because I am a quiet person.
ReplyDeleteAs about the motivation of stress so often happens. These are situations when i am competing with the other person. This can be risky cycling between the cars, or racing car. In both cases, there is almost always dangerous, so I'm afraid the accident. But it works for me that I have more strength and I do not feel tired. And in the case of driving a car helps me to focus and choose a best driving line.
I think that for many years, people will make use of adrenaline. But over time will be replaced by other specifics that will affect only the selected centers rather than the whole organism.
ad1) The last time I had this adrenaline surge going through me was during a basketball competition. It tourned out to be a 'fight' result - I got a nickname from our enemies - 'dzikus'. Needless to say theytried not to play their balls near me. We lost, though:)
ReplyDeletead2) That depends on the situation. There are time schedules to be kept and when a new thing pops out - it's nearly always impossible to fit two matters in a limited time. Adrenaline helps but doesn't make me a time traveler. So when there's no chance of a positive ending - I don't get motivated at all.
ad3) When there's action - there's reaction. We're leading more and more stressful life and since adrenaline helps you deal with that kind of situations - it won't fade away. And even if it will - it will take thousands years of evolution.
When i was doing my running training after a while some car started to follow me. Firstly i thought tat these are my friends and they are doing me some jokes so i decided not to turn head behind and continue my training. But after every minute my thoughts were becoming more threatening because it was evening and not everywhere were street lamps. To the end i didn't turn my head, i knew place in my village when only a man will be able to pass, and it was place i lost the car, but i felt in my organism that i have more energy than during normal training ;) i think that we will not lose ability to produce this hormone, there are always stressful situations and organism has always to react somehow.
ReplyDelete