When we talk about adrenaline, most of us automatically think of a mix between fun and danger. But few of us stop to study what exactly is that which runs through our body from top to bottom every time we invoke it. That’s why, thanks to the daily face-to-face experience we have with this sensation at Cangas Aventura and those who dare to try our activities, we want to tell you more about adrenaline and why it’s extremely beneficial for health.
Did you know that each of the emotions we feel has a biological component? The way our body reacts to stimuli or experiences is by secreting hormones. And these hormones produce a series of reactions that we know as emotions. Adrenaline, specifically, is a neurotransmitter hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands in response to danger or alert stimuli. It’s the hormone of action!
Certainly, our body is a great factory of emotions. A factory where adrenaline production begins when we are practicing sports, especially risky ones, when we are in a state of alert, when we make an extreme effort or every time we feel those butterflies in our stomach when we’re in love. And although we all know well what it feels like, do we know what happens in our body? There are many things that give us clues that we are secreting this hormone!
- The heart pumps more blood due to increased heart rate, providing more oxygen and nutrients to all organs.
- Pupils dilate for better vision.
- Muscles and liver increase their blood glucose to produce more energy.
- Blood pressure increases, vessels of important organs widen and receive more blood, and smaller vessels narrow as they become dispensable.
- Adrenaline stimulates the brain and it secretes dopamine, the well-being hormone.
- Intestinal movement stops, avoiding untimely physiological needs.
- Respiratory rate increases so that blood oxygenates faster and better.
Advantages of Releasing Adrenaline
It’s clear that our body likes action and that, as long as fear and risks are controlled, the benefits we can enjoy thanks to adrenaline are numerous.
At a physical level, with the practice of risky sports, while seeking or experiencing adrenaline, one is also enjoying the benefits of performing physical activities. At a psychological level, adrenaline offers us that characteristic ‘high’ that many become addicted to. As we said, adrenaline stimulates the brain and it secretes dopamine, which is the hormone of well-being. That’s why many people find releasing it addictive, needing strong emotions every so often.
The adrenaline rush makes us feel alive, gives us a great sense of well-being and energy, and increases our happiness. Additionally, the search for this sensation leads us to live new experiences, visit places, meet people and, ultimately, to be active. Adrenaline provides us with that much-needed break from routine for our body that should be sought periodically.
For all these reasons, we encourage you to try new adventures! In our activities you will find all the ingredients to experience adrenaline and benefit from all the good things that the hormone brings us. Canyoning, buggy routes, jet ski routes, Sella River descent, paintball… It’s not just about fun anymore… It’s also about health. 😉