The human body contains and secretes substances that perform specific functions. In the case of adrenaline (also called epinephrine) and norepinephrine (or norepinephrine), they act as hormones and/or neurotransmitters. Some drugs have an effect on these compounds, such as certain antidepressants, which lengthen and enhance the effect of norepinephrine.
Since they are different compounds, their functions and characteristics are different. In the following Psychology-Online article we expose three differences between adrenaline and norepinephrine.
What is norepinephrine, where it is produced and functions
Norepinephrine can act in several ways in our body: we can talk about norepinephrine as hormonenorepinephrine can also act as neurotransmitter and we can refer to norepinephrine as a drug.
The enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase converts it to norepinephrine. Following the psychology dictionary of the American Psychiatric Association, this is mainly produced in the nuclei of the brain stem and adrenal medulla.
Norepinephrine performs various functions in our body, all of them aimed at its activation. Among these functions we find:
- Maintaining the alert level that will allow us to carry out our daily functions.
- Preparation for action: together with adrenaline, they affect glucose metabolism so that our body can have the necessary energy levels for certain situations that demand it.
- Increased blood supply towards the muscles and increase in blood pressure.
- Participation in the stress response.
- Intervention in the sleep-wake cycles.
As a drug, the mechanism of action of norepinephrine or norepinephrine consists of a vasoconstrictive action of resistance and capacitance vessels and a stimulating action of the myocardium. Therefore, it is indicated in states of acute hypotension and as a temporary adjuvant in the context of treatment of cardiac arrest and acute hypotension.
What is adrenaline, where it is produced and functions
Adrenaline, taking as reference the psychology dictionary of the American Psychiatric Association, is a hormone and/or neurotransmitter synthesized mainly in the adrenal medulla:
- It is an adrenal hormone, the final result of the metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine. It is secreted in response to stimuli related to anxiety, fear or stress.
- As a neurotransmitter, it would be the main stimulant of alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic receptors.
Therefore, as in the case of norepinephrine, we can refer to adrenaline as a hormone, neurotransmitter and, as we will see below, as a drug.
Regarding its formation, it will be norepinephrine itself that is converted into adrenaline through the action of the enzyme phenylethanolamine – N – Methyl – Transferase (FNMT).
Among the functions of adrenaline within the body we find:
- Incrise of cardiac frecuency and the force of heart contractions.
- Relaxation of bronchial and intestinal smooth muscle.
- It has an effect on blood pressure because it acts as vasodilator and vasoconstrictor.
- Participate in the preparation and/or activation of the organism in response to situations of fear, anxiety or stress.
Finally, as a drug it stimulates , which gives rise to its effects on the circulatory system and the relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle. Due to these effects, the use of adrenaline as a drug is indicated in:
- Acute asthma attacks.
- Anaphylactic shock.
- Heart attack and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by foods, medications, insect bites or stings, and other allergens.
Differences between adrenaline and norepinephrine
As we have seen, adrenaline and nosadrenaline are two hormones and neurotransmitters whose functioning is similar. Both activate the body in situations of stress or fear. However, they also present some unusual aspects. Let’s look at the 3 main differences between adrenaline and norepinephrine:
Differences in their composition
As we have already seen, both are different substances and, therefore, have a different chemical composition. Both the substances from which they come and the chemical reactions that result in the formation of one or the other are different:
- The formation of the norepinephrine is produced by hydroxylation from dopamine.
- The formation of adrenalin is produced by methylation from norepinephrine.
Differences in function
Although it is true that both norepinephrine and adrenaline activate the body and prepare it for responses to fear, anxiety or stress, there are some differences and specificities in their function, such as:
- The action that has adrenalin on bronchial smooth muscle.
- He hypertensive effect in the case of the norepinephrine.
Differences in its indications as a drug
- While the adrenalin It is indicated, above all, for severe allergic reactions, acute asthma attacks and cardiac arrest.
- The norepinephrine It is mainly used in cases of acute hypotension.
It is important to keep in mind that both drugs have adverse effects and, given that their mechanism of action is different, they also have differences between them. Following Vademecum (2018) and Vademecum (2021):
- In the case of adrenaline, its adverse effects will be contextualized in the sympathetic activation of the central nervous system, as is the case of dizziness or tachycardia; and in the psychological sphere, such as the appearance of fear.
- As for norepinephrine, its side effects will be more related to the effect it has on the vascular system.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- American Psychiatric Association (2020). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org
- Carlson, NR (2010) In Fundamentals of Behavioral Physiology. Madrid: Pearson Educación SA
- Vademecum (2018) Norepinephrine B. Braun 1 mg/ml Concent. Parasol. For perfume. Retrieved from https://www.vademecum.es/medicamento-noradrenalina+b.+braun+1+mg%2Fml+concent.+para+sol.+para+perfus._21847
- Vademecum (2021) Adrenaline Bradex 1mg/ml Sol. Inj. Recovered from https://www.vademecum.es/medicamento-adrenalina+bradex_48333