Neurochemical profile: Adrenalin

NEUROCHEMICAL PROFILE 🧬

Adrenalin

Other names: Adrenaline, Epinephrin(e)
A hormone and neurotransmitter, produced by the adrenal glands (just above our kidneys), and also by some neurons of the central nervous system.

Adrenalin is one of the main “stress hormones” that are released into the bloodstream when we feel fear, anxiety, excitement, and during exercise. It is released as a part of the fight-flight-freeze response to a perceived threatening situation. As I’ve mentioned before, think of a caveman encountering a sabre-toothed tiger. 🐆

Adrenalin acts in many ways to prepare our body for action. It:
• increases our heart rate ❤️
• makes our heart contractions stronger (that’s why it feels like your heart is pounding out of your chest!)
• increases blood pressure
• activates sweat glands 🥵
• boosts energy supplies
• increases muscle strength in preparation for action 💪
• triggers blood vessels to contract in our extremities, which sends blood to the larger muscle groups. Interestingly this is partly designed so that if the sabre-toothed tiger managed to bite your hand or foot, then you would have less chance of bleeding to death – what a lovely thought! 🤔
• redirects more blood to important organs, such as the heart and lungs ❤️
• dilates our pupils for heightened visual awareness 👁
• increases our breathing rate
• expands air passages in the lungs for additional oxygen uptake

Additionally, adrenalin not only has the job of getting parts of our body ready to work hard, but it also acts in suppressing non-emergency bodily processes. This mainly involves shutting down the digestive system. That’s why it’s probably not the best idea to eat a big meal before you’re about to go on stage! 🍔🍟

This is designed to conserve energy and divert it to more important parts of the body that might be required under the circumstances. The body can then work harder for longer, and even perform some tasks that would seem impossible under normal circumstances. There have been some cases where people have summoned super-human strength, such as lifting up cars or heavy objects, in order to rescue trapped victims! 💪

Another interesting fact I found was that adrenalin decreases the body’s ability to feel pain, which is why you can continue running or being active even straight after getting injured. Evolutionary speaking, this is so you can keep running away from the threat without being distracted by the pain.

This is an important point to remember, especially when coming back from an injury that is aggravated by playing your instrument. Even if you’re injury is feeling fine, be aware to keep a lid on your enthusiasm, or else you might pay for it after the show once the pain-killing effects have worn off.

Can you recognize a few more symptoms from adrenalin that you get when performing? Which ones do you notice the most?