What are the functions of norepinephrine?

If you’re wondering what in tarnation norepinephrine is and how it works, then you’ve come to the right place. This little chemical messenger plays a big role in keeping us alert and focused, as well as regulating certain bodily functions. So strap on your thinking caps (or better yet, let norepinephrine give them a boost) and let’s dive into the wondrous world of this hormone.

What Is Norepinephrine?

Norepinewho? Also known as noradrenaline, norepi is one of several hormones produced by your adrenal glands when you’re feeling stressed or threatened – think “fight or flight.” It’s not just for emergencies though; your body also uses it to regulate important everyday activities like sleep, digestion and blood pressure.

Why Does Our Body Need It?

So why do we need this jumpy juice anyway? Well buckle up buttercup because here are some key roles that NE (as it’s sometimes called) plays:

Increases Focus

You know that mid-afternoon slump that hits just when you have work to finish? That’s where our friend norepi comes in! By increasing focus and attention span [1], our brains can power through demanding tasks with greater ease. So don’t be surprised if popping an extra shot of espresso makes you feel like superman/woman!

Maintains Alertness

Just like caffeine keeps us awake enough to enjoy Netflix binges till 3am, NE maintains our overall alertness during normal daytime hours [2]. And since none of us can defy good old gravity by staying awake forever (that we know of), having healthy levels of NE helps keep these neurotransmitters firing smoothly.

Regulates Blood Vessels

Speaking about things going smoothly…our blood vessels need proper care too! Luckily again ne does the trick. It can help regulate blood pressure [3], and also allows our vessels to contract or dilate when we need better oxygenation – typically during exercise.

Helps Control Stress

We’ve all had our share of stress, but NE helps us cope with it by enabling a more coordinated response to stressors [4]. Our adrenal glands pump out norepinephrine (and other hormones like adrenaline/cortisol) in times of crisis or uncertainty; this hormone increases heart rate/blood sugar levels that ready us physically for whatever might come next- fight or flight!

The Science Behind NE’s Functions

Now let’s get down to the science-y part shall we? All those different functions are possible because NE binds and stimulates certain receptors on cells throughout your body. For example:

Alpha Receptors Stimulation

When alphawhat?? There are several alpha-adrenergic receptor subtypes found in various parts of both the brain and peripheral tissues. When stimulated, they can cause vasoconstriction (constricted blood flow), which is why drugs that target these receptors often act as decongestants.

Beta Receptors Activation

Beta adrenoreceptor activation can cause vasodilation–the opposite phenomenon–as well as increased metabolic activity such as increased lipolysis (fat breakdown) and glycogenolysis (sugars release).
Here’s some things you didn’t know about how Ne works:

‘mooood’ modulation

Have you ever snapped at someone only finding yourself apologizing minutes later? Or sometimes find yourself laughing uncontrollably just after something stressful?
Norepi plays a key role in shaping one’s emotional response to an event[5].

Assisting Cognitive Strategies

NE assists cognitive strategies by engaging selective attention through increasing signal-to-noise ratio ([6]).

FAQs About Norepinephrine Functioning

Still have some questions about norepi? We got you covered:

Can Norepinephrine Be Elevated?

Absolutely! During times of stress, illness or even during exercise by the simple activation from sympathetic nervous system.

What Causes Low Levels Of Norepinephrine In The Brain?

There are several factors that can lead to low levels, including medications (such as antidepressants), some diseases or lifestyle patterns such as lack of sleep, diet and physical activity.

Is It Dangerous To Have Too Much Norepinephrine?

As with most things in life, balance is key. Prolonged or highly elevated NE production can be dangerous for our bodies: it contributes to increasing heart rates/blood pressure which may cause negative health consequences[7].

Conclusion

All in all , NE acts like nature’s captain where it hierarchically regulates various processes throughout the body in a careful way depending on what challenges we face. And while coffee might help us fake these effects temporarily – only proper sleep hygiene combined with other healthy choices helps optimally care for our innermost self. So next time someone asks “What keeps you going?” You know quite clearly one answer- your good friend noradrenaline/norepinephrine/ne!