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Is Norepinephrine Good for Anxiety?

Too much norepinephrine will increase feelings of anxiety and panic. Norepinephrine is one of many brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Too much or too little of these brain chemicals can affect how someone will react. Norepinephrine is a brain chemical that is similar to adrenaline and causes the "fight or flight" response and is a response to stress. Too much norepinephrine leads to a stressful state that can include feelings of anxiety and hostility.

  1. Too Much Norepinephrine

    • Norepinephrine is the brain chemical most associated with a state of arousal as in hyper-alertness or an increased feeling of panic or dread. This is the brain chemical associated with panic attacks and impaired concentration. Norepinephrine is associated with the body chemical adrenaline and can cause a physical response such as rapid heartbeat, increase in blood pressure and sweaty palms. High levels of norepinephrine induce the feelings of a panic attack, which may be overwhelming. Panic attacks are sudden surges of norepinephrine. Some of the symptoms are dizziness or feeling faint, shortness of breath, feelings of suffocation or choking, numbness and tingling of hands and feet, chest constriction, and chest pain. Treatment for too much norepinephrine is aimed at reducing it and relieving anxiety and feelings of panic. Some medications reduce levels of other brain chemicals that ninhibit norepinephrine.

    Too Little Norepinephrine

    • Low levels of norepinephrine are associated with depression. Too little results in feelings of sadness and uninterest. Depression can also occur after stressful events. Symptoms of depression are continuing sadness, difficulty sleeping, loss of enjoyment in activities that were previously satisfying and a change in appetite. Treatment for depression involves balancing brain chemicals. The type of drug most often used are SSRIs, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These drugs make norepinephrine and serotonin more available to the neurotransmitters in the brain. It can take up to three weeks for these drugs to work. Once they begin to work there is a noticeable difference in mood.

    Therapy

    • Anxiety can also be part of depression. Many people who suffer from depression can be irritable and exhibit excessive worry. Feelings of constant worry may also be present; this is known as generalized anxiety disorder. While medication is often effective to treat anxiety disorders and depression, therapy is a helpful adjunct to overcoming anxiety. Different types of therapies are available and include relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT therapy aims to replace anxiety-inducing beliefs with positive, empowering beliefs.

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