What do a frightening experience like a traffic accident, a stressful situation such as a job interview, a panic attack, and extreme sports like bungee jumping or riding a rollercoaster have in common? The answer is an adrenaline rush. 

These situations and activities can trigger the rapid release of a stress hormone called adrenaline (epinephrine). It is commonly called the stress response, fight or flight response, or an “adrenaline rush.” 

Please continue reading to understand what happens when the body releases adrenaline in response to an actual or perceived threat. 

How does adrenaline affect the body?

Adrenaline is a hormone made by the adrenal glands, specifically the adrenal medulla. The body produces adrenaline to prepare for dangerous or stressful situations. The hormone adrenaline helps to do this by increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, enlarging the pupils of the eyes, redistributing blood flow to the muscles, and making changes in metabolism to ensure the brain gets enough glucose. 

What does it mean to have an adrenaline rush?

An adrenaline rush occurs due to the rapid release of adrenaline into the bloodstream during a threatening situation. This occurs within a few seconds and produces immediate effects. When adrenaline rushes into the blood, the body experiences the “fight or flight” response, also called the stress response. The effects of adrenaline disappear once the potential threat has gone away. It is called an adrenaline “rush” because it happens so quickly. 

What happens to the body during an adrenaline rush?

Adrenaline triggers the sympathetic nervous system to prepare the body for a fight or flight reaction. This leads to the following changes in the body:

• Increased heart rate and high blood pressure
• Expansion of the blood vessels in the muscles
• Redistribution of blood to the major muscle groups to get more oxygen to them
• Relaxation of the airways to increase oxygen supply
• Widening of the pupils (mydriasis) to allow more light to enter
• Changes in metabolism to ensure enough blood sugar and oxygen supply
• Slowing of digestion to allow muscles to use more blood 

What does an adrenaline rush feel like?

Some of the effects of the fight or flight reaction during an adrenaline rush include:

• Heart racing or pounding sensation in the chest
• Fast heartbeat
• Hyperventilation or fast and shallow breathing
• Sudden increase in energy 
• Increased ability to run fast or lift heavy objects
• Increased sweating
• Feeling lightheaded 
• Changes in body temperature due to redistribution of blood 
• Dilated pupils so that objects look bright or even unreal
• Shakiness or trembling of the arms and legs
• Dry mouth
• Heightened alertness
• Less ability to feel pain

These effects of the fight or flight response can last for up to 1 hour after an adrenaline rush.

How to control an adrenaline rush?

An adrenaline rush is a good thing when there is a real danger. It prepares the body to fight back or flee, i.e., the fight or flight response. However, if anxiety or panic attacks are making your adrenal glands release more adrenaline, there are certain things you can do to feel calmer, such as:

• Deep breathing
• Listen to calming music
• Practicing meditation
• Taking a walk in nature 
• Talking to a loved one

These are all activities that activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help you feel calmer. 

Keep in mind that an adrenaline rush usually has an underlying cause, such as a stressful situation or a perceived or real threat. Certain health conditions like chronic stress and tumors of the adrenal glands can lead to high blood levels of adrenaline for long periods. 

It is important to be evaluated by a healthcare professional for any potential medical conditions if you are experiencing frequent adrenaline rushes. Too much adrenaline can have a negative impact on health in the long term.

References:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23038-adrenaline