Your body maintains a delicate balance of hormones and neurotransmitters in order to maintain health and optimum mental activity. Of these substances, norepinephrine plays a major role. Therefore, an excess of this substance can produce unwanted effects.
Identification
Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that effects various organs of the body as well as the brain by either stimulating or inhibiting nerves, muscles and glands.
Function
Norepinephrine affects your arousal and attention levels as well as ability to remember and learn. When in a stressful event, Norepinephrine activates your body's fight-or-flight response.
Effects
An excess of norepinephrine acts as a powerful stimulant, causing physical expressions such as a rapid heartbeat, chest pains, nausea, dizziness, headaches and high blood pressure. Emotional expressions include fear, high anxiety and panic attacks.
Theories/Speculation
Protein sources such as meat, nuts and egg whites provide the raw material needed to manufacture optimal levels of norepinephrine. According to researcher William J. Walsh, "most neurotransmitter imbalances appear genetic in nature and involve abnormal metabolism, absorption, and/or storage of food nutrients by the body."
Solution
Doctors treat an excess of norepinephrine with alpha and beta blocking drugs. Natural treatments include taking a green tea extract known as theanine and/or the essential amino acid arginine, as well as employing lifestyle strategies that reduce anxiety.
Tags: excess norepinephrine