|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutritional Supplements

Causes of an Adrenaline Rush

It's called the fight-or-flight response, and it happens when we are put in a situation in which our bodies need to respond accordingly. Adrenaline is dumped into our bodies, preparing us to either stay and challenge the situation head on or get out of Dodge and live to fight another day.

  1. Life-Threatening Situations

    • The most natural cause of an adrenaline rush is when one finds himself in a precarious or even life-threatening situation, which is what adrenaline was made for. It prepares the body by quickening the heart rate and adding strength (sometimes perceived as almost superhuman) and speed to our usual abilities. This lets an individual fight to the best of his ability or run away as quickly as possible.

    Exercise

    • While a casual regimen of exercise is unlikely to cause an adrenaline rush, longer, more intense periods of exercise can trigger the phenomenon. This could be a brought on by weightlifting, running or any other high-intensity exercise where the body is being pushed beyond its usual limits. The adrenaline can help the individual reach new plateaus in his exercise and stretch the boundaries of his fitness level.

    Drugs

    • Certain drugs, most of which are stimulants, can lead to an excess production of adrenaline. Drugs such as cocaine, PCP and even caffeine can trigger a rush, which contributes to the overall high the individual feels. Typically, the more often the individual takes the drug, the less potent the effects will be on the body, including the adrenal glands.

    Fatigue

    • Even being excessively tired can bring on an adrenaline rush, as the substance acts as a pick-me-up, allowing a person to work harder and longer than they would otherwise be able to.

    Sugar

    • For those who are especially sensitive to sugar (particularly children), overconsumption of the sweetener can lead to an increased amount of adrenaline production. This is typically a bad thing, as regular adrenaline production will not only weaken the glands, but the crash after the fact will leave the individual feeling sluggish and lethargic.

Nutritional Supplements - Related Articles