

The left adrenal gland produces steroid hormones, while the right adrenal gland produces non-steroid hormones. The adrenal glands help regulate the body’s stress response and reproductive functions. Compare and contrast Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease.What is a catecholamine? Give an example of a catecholamine and state its function.Explain how the production of glucocorticoids is regulated.Give an example of each type of corticosteroid and state its function.Identify the three layers of the adrenal cortex and the type of hormones each layer produces.Compare and contrast the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla.Describe the structure and location of the adrenal glands.If you think you might be an adrenaline addict, note that there are healthier ways to experience a hormonal “high.” Running, biking, or participating in some other form of vigorous aerobic exercise causes the pituitary gland and hypothalamus to produce opiate-like endorphins, leading to a so-called “runner’s high.” Like the euphoric feeling adrenaline causes, a runner’s high may last for hours. While some excitement in one’s life is generally a good thing, always putting oneself in danger or constantly being under stress are obviously not good things. They might even create their own stress by always taking on too much work or delaying projects until close to their deadline. They might choose a dangerous occupation such as firefighting, participate in risky behaviors such as reckless driving or bank robbing, or just pick fights with other people.

Why does adrenaline have this effect? Adrenaline is closely related to dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that plays a major role in pleasure and addiction.Īdrenaline addicts don’t have to participate in BASE jumping or other dangerous sports to get an adrenaline rush.

People who participate in such dangerous activities as BASE jumping are likely to be adrenaline “junkies.” They are addicted to the adrenaline rush and euphoria, or “high,” it causes when their fight-or-flight response is triggered by danger. In fact, it is so dangerous that it is outlawed in some places. BASE jumping is called the most dangerous sport on Earth.

There would be very little time to use a parachute to slow your fall before you hit the ground. \): Base Jumpĭoes just looking at this photo cause you to break out in a cold sweat and experience heart palpitations? Imagine how scary it would be to fling yourself backward off a tall building like the BASE jumper in the photo.
