What does norepinephrine do to the body

What Is Norepinephrine?

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Released naturally in both the central nervous system and in the sympathetic nerves, norepinephrine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and is responsible for regulating nerve impulses. When…

What Are Adrenergic Receptors?

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Adrenergic receptors are proteins which are sensitized to particular chemical compounds. Certain types of cells contain these proteins along with others to enable cellular signaling, in which cells communicate with each other through the us…

Related Questions Answered on Y!Answers

How stress affects health; under stress, what hormones does the body produce?

Q: I know the hypothalamus stimulates the production of adrenaline and norepinephrine; but i am trying to figure out if the hypothalamus also produces cortisol (under stress*).Thanx for the help, really appreciate it.

A: Actually, the adrenals produce cortisol.

Excessive creation of Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Oxcytocin/Prolactin harmful?

Q: If one were to raise the levels of these chemicals in the body to peak points several times a day, over the course of several years, would it ultimately have a negative effect on one’s endocrine system? Also, could it possibly lead to the body’s “addiction” to these chemicals?

A: Well, I’m not sure if increased levels of NE and 5-HT would have an effect on the endocrine system, but there is a possibility that Oxytocin might cause a negative effect. No, there really hasn’t been a link with addiction and NE/5-HT levels; that’s why SSRIs aren’t addictive.

What’s the difference between epinephrine and nonepinephrine?

Q: I haven’t been able to find a coherent answer to this. I understand both epinephine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine are used by the body to excite the sympathetic nervous system, but I haven’t been able to find a good answer to what the differences are between the two in terms of effects they cause on the body. Most of what I read makes the two chemicals sound redundant. Do they have different purposes, and if so, what are they? Thanks.

A: One obvious difference is that norepinephrine (NE) is also a neurotransmitter as well a hormone. Whilst epinephrine (EP) is just a hormone. However there are physiological differences. EP acts on all adrenoceptors (alpha 1,2 & beta 1,2), whilst NE acts primarily on alpha 1,2 & beta 1, NOT beta 2 as much. Physiologically this means that with EP smooth muscle relaxant effects may be observed (as stimulating beta 2 receptors, relaxes smooth muscle). In relation to the whole body this means EP (given by slow infusion) can produce a decrease in total peripheral resistance, due to the vasorelaxant effects: decreasing blood pressure. NE given by slow infusion produces a great increase in total peripheral resistance (action on alpha 1 mainly and absent beta 2 stimulation): increasing BP. However the effect of the catecholamines on the bodys tissues varies alot, mainly because the concentration and type of adrenoceptors varies alot between tissues. e.g. heart mainly has Beta-1 for increasing heart rate and no alpha 1.