• Question: what is adrenaline?

    Asked by A'Mari to Greg, Jen, Laura, Mobeen, Paul on 9 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Laura Haworth

      Laura Haworth answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Adrenaline is a hormone released by our body when we are feeling strong emotions- such as anger, excitement and fear. it causes the heart to beat faster giving us more energy. it prepares the body for the ‘fight or flight’ response.

    • Photo: Paul O'Mahoney

      Paul O'Mahoney answered on 10 Mar 2016:

      Adrenaline’s official name is epinephrine, and it is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body. It is usually produced to prepare for the ‘fight or flight’ response to things like fear or panic, by doing things like increasing blood flow to the muscles, dilating the pupils in your eyes and increases your heart rate. It is also produced when you exercise a lot (what people call the adrenaline rush), and produces similar effects.

    • Photo: Greg Melia

      Greg Melia answered on 10 Mar 2016:

      Adrenaline is also given to people who are having severe allergic reactions. When someone with e.g. a nut allergy eats a nut, parts of their body swell up and this stops them breathing properly. Injecting adrenaline gives speeds up their system, so they process the chemicals that are causing the swelling and get them out of their system quickly, before they suffocate.

    • Photo: Jen Lowe

      Jen Lowe answered on 10 Mar 2016:

      Adrenaline is known as a ‘fight or flight’ hormone. When you are in a dangerous or worrying situation your body prepares you to fight (defend yourself) or flight (run away!) – releasing this hormone is one of the reactions. Adrenaline increases blood flow to muscles, makes the heart work harder and increases blood sugar (for energy). It is also used as drug in some situations – it’s in epipens which are used to treat severe allergic reactions.

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