Benefits Of Adrenaline

You know the feeling: heart racing, eyes wide, sweaty palms, and maybe even goosebumps. These are textbook symptoms of adrenaline pumping through your veins. Your body is going into the “fight-or-flight” mode to enable your superhuman abilities. In skydiving, you’ll be forced to fight AGAINST your fight-or-flight response as you walk towards the open door of the airplane. You’ll overcome it and JUMP!

It is in this moment of release that you will experience an overwhelming feeling of freedom, while still getting all the benefits of an adrenaline rush – which is what makes skydiving so addicting!

WHAT IS ADRENALINE?

Adrenaline, or epinephrine, is a stress hormone that is released by the adrenal glands within the medulla oblongata. Its major function is to trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response which sends impulses to specific organs to create a certain response.

HOW IS ADRENALINE RELEASED?

Adrenaline is triggered by your body’s natural fight-or-flight responses. During this time, your amygdala processes a stressful or potentially dangerous situation and reacts by quickly preparing the body to deal with the situation. The amygdala is the director of the show and will signal to another portion of the brain, called the hypothalamus, which sends another signal to the adrenal glands to start pumping out the good stuff.

Adrenaline is a hormone that is secreted into the bloodstream to send signals throughout the body. Simultaneously, noradrenaline (or norepinephrine) is released as a hormone and a neurotransmitter which means it is used within the brain to trigger neurons to communicate across other synapses.

BENEFITS OF ADRENALINE

The body benefits from adrenaline in several ways when going through these rapid changes. Adrenaline gives you a surge of energy and strength that you never knew you had –  it makes you feel invincible! Here are all of the positive effects of the release of adrenaline:

• Increased Cognitive Abilities

Once adrenaline hits your bloodstream, the brain is more oxygenated, completely engaged, focused, and ready to respond with quick decisions.

• Superhuman Strength!

We’ve all heard the stories of people lifting cars in moments of high stress. That is adrenaline hard at work! With adrenaline pumping through your body, it’s hard to listen to that little voice that doubts your physical capabilities. We all can be superheroes with the help of adrenaline!

• Heightened Awareness

Your body will need to engage every asset to help when reacting to stress. This is why adrenaline dilates your pupils to sharpen your vision to better react to a potential threat.

• Increased Glucose Levels

Glucose levels are increased in order to provide the energy muscles need to optimally perform.

• Increased Blood Flow & Heart Rate

Adrenaline triggers blood vessels to contract in a way that redirects the blood flow to the major muscle groups needed to save yourself.

• Increased Respiration

Air passages dilate to provide the muscles with high levels of oxygen needed to fight or flee the real or perceived danger.

• Decreased Pain Sensitivity

It’s not *officially* known if adrenaline actually decreases pain or if your body is just distracted from the pain. Either way, your body does this as a survival tactic. This is why you’re able to keep running from danger, fight bears, or carry on a conversation while experiencing a severe injury. Once the hormone has run its course, you’ll definitely start to feel the pain increase – get the ice pack ready!

HOW LONG DOES ADRENALINE LAST?

After a rush of adrenaline, the body slowly comes down from the peak hormone rush, which is why adrenaline’s effect can last for up to an hour after the stress has subsided.

THE ADRENALINE HIGH

The adrenaline rush puts you in a state of optimum vigilance and heightened excitement that gives you an amazing afterglow, generally leaving you wanting more. That’s why thrill-seekers pursue adventure and new experiences to chase that unbeatable feeling. Skydiving also releases endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, all of which are known as “happy hormones” that give you a natural high. You’ll get a righteous mood boost along with increased functionality from the adrenaline rush.

Experience the benefits of adrenaline by booking a skydive with the #1 choice for skydiving in Western New York – WNY Skydiving! Blue skies, thrill-seekers!