Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
From: bburgar@cix.compulink.co.uk (Bill Burgar)
Subject: Adrenalin
Reply-To: bburgar@cix.compulink.co.uk
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 11:30:13 +0000



>In article <1992Sep11.134153.5657@samba.oit.unc.edu> Paul.Elkins@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Paul Elkins) writes:
>
>   In article <1992Sep10.214939.5588@cbfsb.cb.att.com> osan@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (Mr. X) writes:
>   >    though this is not in reality the case.  I have always been able to
>   >    dump HUGE amounts of adrenalin into my system at will (indeed I have
>   >    had problems at times keeping the levels down since I surge sometimes
>   >    just at the thought, which I have always found odd.  Any of you have
>   >    this happen?) and can say for certain that this is not happening.
>   >
>   >    -Andy V.
>
>   I find the comment about generating adrenaline at will interesting.
>   I can do that as well, but maybe not "HUGE" amounts; and it takes some
>   concentration.  It drives my blood-pressure way up.
>   I, also, find it happening inappropriately or at least out of proportion
>   to the "threat", sometimes.  Curious.
>
>I'm not a doctor nor do I play one on television, but...I dimly recall
>an endocrinology lecture in which the distinction was made between
>adrenaline and noradrenaline.  Adrenalin is a hormone secreted by the
>adrenal glands in response to certain environmental conditions: stress,
>fear, tension, whatever.  The secretion is slow and the effect is
>gradual and sustained.  Over time, it will cause increased heart rate,
>rapid respiration, etc.


That's not the way I heard it, of course I could be wrong.
From some of my references Noradrenalin is associated with pleasureable
things rather than stressful. The Sports Health Handbook by Norman
Harris, John Lovesey and Chris Oram says:


"ADRENALINE AND NORADRENALINE
 These two hormones are produced in a pair of glands just above the
 kidneys as part of the body's response to stress... Research by the
 British Heart Foundation suggests that while adrenaline is produced
 by negative, passive emotions like anxiety and uncertainty, noradrenaline
 is a response to more active emotions like competition, anger and aggression
 Malcolm Carruthers, Director of Clinical Laboratory Services at
 the Maudsley Hospital, South London, lists noradrenaline-stimulating
 experiences car driving, competitive behaviour, cigarette smoking, coffee
 drinking, cold (the bracing sort), copulation and most highly recommended,
 physical exercise."


>Noradrenalin is a substance produced by the firing of the vagus nerve
>(which terminates on the heart...sorry, I know terminates isn't the
>proper term but I'm a net.geek).  Because it's right on the heart,
>it has the almost instantaneous effect of speeding up the heart rate.
>This is the effect that most people are referring to when they talk
>about a "jolt of adrenaline".  Given my understanding of the mechanism
>above, adrenaline doesn't "jolt"...noradrenaline does.  The mind perceives
>danger, the vagus nerve fires, noradrenaline is produced.  So, the "jolt"
>effect is definitely something that can be produced by just "thinking"
>about it...but, I suspect, this is only if you are convinced that there
>is real danger (that or if you've been reworking your autonomic
>nervous system).


What ever the method of production and whichever hormone is actually
responsible I still get "the rush" in a stressful situation, but I have
found that I can control it reasonably well. I can also produce it on
demand (mostly), unfortunately I have to "work it out" as quickly as
possible otherwise I have "the shakes" for quite some time afterwards.


Does anyone else feel the effects the same way?


Bill Burgar.