Chronic anxiety and norepinephrine: what this connection means

Chronic anxiety and norepinephrine: what this connection means
You start the day saying that it will not hit you today. Today will be a good day. But still it happens. Because when you suffer from chronic anxiety, fear always exists there. It's waiting to grab you, and when it does, you're lost. Anxiety and norepinephrine are interconnected, and it is a relationship worth learning more about.



Anxiety causes you to lose your breath, shake, cold sweat and give you disastrous ideas. All these processes are governed by the molecule we mentioned above: noradrenaline.
For those who have not heard of this signaling substance - which, in turn, acts as a hormone - let's start with a brief example. Imagine walking across the street. Suddenly you hear a car ticking. You forgot to look at the traffic lights and had to react in the fraction of a second to get out of the way.

You know how fast your heart is bumping. You have a stomach in your stomach and breathing has increased dramatically.

Chronic anxiety and norepinephrine are linked because affected individuals have high levels of this hormone signal substance in the body. It can seriously affect the health of the heart.
What does noradrenaline do?
Noradrenaline acts directly on the sympathetic nervous system. Noradrenaline is responsible for mediating in situations where our brain understands that there is a danger. It is this signaling substance that helps us to react, fly, fight or simply survive.

It does it by increasing our heart rate and our blood pressure. In addition, it increases the amount of air passing through the lungs as well as the contraction of the muscles. All these neurochemical and physiological actions allow us to respond much better to everyday tasks.

But the problem in our modern world is that most of us respond to stress factors that have nothing to do with real physical risks. Our psychological fears, worry clouds and phobias activate this hormone in the same way.

Because of this, the effect of noradrenaline in the body will be devastating in someone who can not handle his anxiety.
I'm suffering from chronic anxiety, what's happening to me?
They say that chronic anxiety is like having a disease with 100 symptoms. The most interesting thing about all this is that most people learn to live with their fears on a regular basis, despite these physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms.

What began as a common and manageable anxiety has become chronic. It has developed into a very serious state.

The worst thing about anxiety is that it's a big liar. It makes us believe we are losing control. It says that we should listen to our phobias because they are always right. And beyond that, it will convince us to worry about everything. Always expect the worst, say it to us.

As we can see, it is not easy to get out of this endless suffering. And this is mainly for the effect that the cerebral biochemistry has on us. That is why the connection between chronic anxiety and norepinephrine is of such great importance.

Chronic anxiety affects your cardiovascular health
New research from the University of Iowa has led to interesting findings. It has revealed the intimate link between noradrenaline and the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with chronic anxiety. Stress that persists over time results in very damaging physiological changes. Among these we find high blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmias. All these processes put health at risk.
Noradrenaline and changes in adrenal glands
Something we have to remember is that norepinephrine is not only produced in the brain. Outside the brain, noradrenaline is also present in the endocrine system - more specifically in the adrenal gland. What does that mean? Chronic anxiety and norepinephrine are linked because the former increases the production of the latter.

Overproduction can lead to the following:

Headache
indigestion
Insomnia
Lack of appetite
Fatigue
sweating
Constant disease feeling
Noradrenaline and cognitive effects
There are many interesting studies that show, for example, the link between elevated levels of norepinephrine and ADHD. As a signal substance, this constituent is vital in helping us focus attention. It also helps us remember data, learn and process information. However, the level must be correct for our cognitive processes to work efficiently.

A level that is too high or low can cause memory loss, lack of attention and difficulty learning new things. It is an exhaustive and complicated state.

Depression, anxiety and norepinephrine
We already know that people with chronic anxiety have too much norepinephrine. But there is a fact we should not forget. It is known that catecholamines - such as noradrenaline and dopamine - are very important for pathophysiology, or the symptoms, of certain depressive diseases.

All overproduction or deficiency can cause serious changes in the mood.

It is common for many patients who live in a circle of fear and negative thoughts that are caused by anxiety, to suffer from deep depression.

Dr. Joseph J. Schildkraut of Harvard University wondered about this in the 60's. He realized that it is noradrenaline, not serotonin, which causes us to suffer from chronic anxiety or depression.

Bubbles over woman

The connection between chronic anxiety and norepinephrine is good to know because it helps you to tackle this disease properly.

We can choose between two situations: the first is to stay at the edge of the abyss and experience the same fear day by day. In this way we will fall into the abyss on a daily basis. The second option is simple: we can choose to be a reactor. A reactor like an aircraft flying over the same abyss. It observes it from above, understands it better, gets around it and leaves it behind it.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help us understand the root of our anxiety. Nor should we ignore the pharmacological method of balancing the production of norepinephrine. Also, keep in mind that a diet rich in vitamin C, copper and omega 3 fatty acids helps us maintain the right levels of this signaling substance.