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ADRENALINE
(The reason for all those strange sensations)

Hormones are chemicals produced by the body to regulate growth, reproduction and metabolism. They also help with the functioning of various organs.
Adrenaline is a powerful and potent hormone, which on entry to the blood stream, has the effect of switching on, or turning off, certain bodily functions which create the ideal conditions to cope with an emergency.
We are then able to make a quick getaway from danger (Flight), or stand our ground (Fight).

However, there are times when we think we are under threat, but are not, creating great distress (Fright).
In other words our mind alerts us to a danger which is not there, but still the process of adrenaline production gets under way.
Because we interpret those feelings that adrenaline creates in the body, we immediately suffer the "symptoms" of rapid heartbeats, sweating, needing the toilet etc.
These, and all of the other symptoms created by an adrenalin rush may then be interpreted (or misinterpreted ) by us as a heart attack or a sudden body malfunction. (see diagram).
We are now in the condition know as a Panic Attack!!!

There are both simple and complex reasons why the adrenaline does what it does to affect the body...

Adrenaline Produces Body Rationale Acute hearing and sight Aids awareness and safety Dry mouth No need to produce saliva for eating Increased heart rate and breathing Increase in oxygen intake Perspiring excessively Decreases the body temperature Urgent need for the toilet Remove excess weight, and waste Increase blood to muscles Readiness to use for Fight or Flight Production of glucose Increases energy levels

See :- " Breathing " and " Keeping Control "

The Adrenaline is produced in the adrenal glands (one on top of each kidney) and once in the bloodstream heads straight for the heart, where it is quickly distributed to the rest of the body.
Adrenaline acts on most of it's receptors as if it were an amplifier. In other words it generally increases those things it affects.

It makes the heart rate faster: this creates a huge volume of blood to all the organs where it is needed. Where there is no need for blood... (i.e. the skin,) it reduces it. This is why we go pale or 'white'. We can also 'Hear' the faster pulse rate in our head, and feel the heart, as if it were at bursting point, (palpitations), which leads us to believe we are having a heart attack, or something is physically wrong with our body. ( So we misinterpret the signs (incorrectly), that occur naturally in our body, when the adrenalin is in full flow....)

Glucose is also summoned, and passed into the bloodstream to increase energy levels - but, if we do not use them up, we get a strange restless, and agitated sensation.

Because we need to be acutely aware of any immediate danger around us, adrenaline amplifies, or increases this awareness by making the senses much more sensitive. In other words; our eyes and ears, (especially), become finely tuned, and we can see and hear much more acutely. This is why some of us, during an onset of fear or panic, may find ourselves in a room, or supermarket, or crowd; and feel that it has suddenly become louder or brighter, which of course only adds to the confused sensation, and feelings of fear once we continue to misinterpret the situation.

We also tend to sweat which is the bodies' way of cooling us down, and our throats' become dry due to the reduction of spit: when the mind recognizes that we have no need of saliva to help us eat food. (It knows that we are unlikely to eat food, and therefore do not need to salivate during a life threatening situation.)

Perhaps the most common, and distressing of all symptoms of an adrenalin rush, is the fact that it tries to rid our body of excess weight... this means in effect, that we feel an urgent and uncontrollable need to void, and usually at the most inconvenient of times. Thus the term eloquently put, " I nearly shit myself." !

The information given on this web site is to enable you to understand what is going on in your body, through a natural process, and not some mystical terror, that you are unable to control. The more you know about the cause and effect, the less you will be frightened of the symptoms, and will be able to fight back!!!

! Good Luck !

Submenu : Adrenalin Flow | Panic Attacks | Panic Sheet | Symptoms

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