norepinephrine
Fight-or-flight chemical
Norepinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that prepares the body for action.
Released by the adrenal glands and nerve endings, it increases heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness—part of the fight-or-flight response.
In the brain, it affects attention and arousal.
Also called noradrenaline, especially in British usage.
Acute threat reaction
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- hyperarousalExcessive physiological alertness
- alarmUrgent warning signal
threat · panic · fear · tension · survival · acute stress · sympathetic · vasoconstriction
Mood-regulating brain chemical
- catecholamineTyrosine-derived signaling molecule
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- glutamateExcitatory neural transmitter
- GABAInhibitory brain neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter · endorphins · oxytocin · neuropeptides · adenosine · glycine · vasopressin · neurochemicals
Focused mental awareness
- wakefulnessState of being conscious
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- focusConcentrated attention point
cognition · awareness · concentration · clarity · acuity · responsiveness · activation · stimulation
Autonomic division activating arousal
- vasoconstrictionArterial walls contracting inward
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
- heart rateCardiac contractions per minute
- pupil dilationEye opening widening
bronchodilation · lipolysis · metabolism · thermogenesis · smooth muscle · cardiac output · biosynthesis · degradation
Prolonged low state
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
- antidepressantDrug treating persistent despair
- SNRIPsychiatric medication class
- tricyclicTriple-ring chemical structure
bupropion · shock · beta-blocker · clonidine · neuroblastoma · hypertension · pharmacology
fight-or-flight
Acute threat reaction
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- hyperarousalExcessive physiological alertness
alarm · threat · panic · fear · tension · survival · acute stress · sympathetic · vasoconstriction · heart rate
serotonin
Mood-regulating brain chemical
- catecholamineTyrosine-derived signaling molecule
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- glutamateExcitatory neural transmitter
GABA · neurotransmitter · endorphins · oxytocin · neuropeptides · adenosine · glycine · vasopressin · neurochemicals · neuromodulation
attention
Focused mental awareness
- wakefulnessState of being conscious
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- arousalStirring to heightened state
focus · cognition · awareness · concentration · clarity · acuity · responsiveness · activation · stimulation · working memory
sympathetic nervous system
Autonomic division activating arousal
- vasoconstrictionArterial walls contracting inward
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
- heart rateCardiac contractions per minute
pupil dilation · bronchodilation · lipolysis · metabolism · thermogenesis · smooth muscle · cardiac output · biosynthesis · degradation · MAO
depression
Prolonged low state
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
- antidepressantDrug treating persistent despair
- SNRIPsychiatric medication class
tricyclic · bupropion · shock · beta-blocker · clonidine · neuroblastoma · hypertension · pharmacology
- stressstress, chronic stress, acute stress, strain, stressor
- Biochemicalsamino acid, amino acids, protein, proteins, DNA
- brain sciencebrain scan, brain research, brain map, brain imaging, brain chemistry
- chemical compoundsacetone, aldehydes, amines, esters, ketones
- hormonesestrogen, testosterone, insulin, hormone, cortisol
- neuroscienceneuron, MRI, brain, neurons, synapses
norepinephrineacetylcholine
Neurotransmitter for muscles and memory
GABA · melatonin · adenosine · sedatives · tranquilizers
norepinephrinesedative
Drug promoting calm
beta-blocker · alpha-blocker · clonidine · benzodiazepine · barbiturate