In this article, we will look at the physiology of fear. Let's figure out what substances are produced in the human body in dangerous situations, how these substances work. And how you can correct your metabolism in order to reduce the susceptibility to cowardice, to make your reaction to fear more constructive. We will pay special attention to three hormones: adrenaline, norepinephrine and testosterone.
Adrenaline is the hormone of fear
The first and main response to the impending danger is the release of a large amount of adrenaline into the bloodstream by the adrenal cortex. For this reason, adrenaline is figuratively called the hormone of fear. After such an internal "injection" in the body starts a number of complex processes, the goal of which ultimately is to maximize the ability to survive in an extreme situation. Under the influence of adrenaline, the pressure rises and the vessels of the brain expand. It improves brain nutrition, sharpens perception, speeds up information processing and makes thinking easier. Adrenaline itself is a catabolic hormone, and stimulates the production of another catabolic hormone - cortisol. This means that under its action there is an acceleration of metabolism and increased saturation of the blood with substances that facilitate physical and mental work. It increases glucose, and in this sense is the opposite of the anabolic hormone insulin. At the same time, the heart rate and breathing rate and depth increase. This is a natural replacement for a warm-up. Warming up before the upcoming load, the athlete achieves exactly the same effect, only in a roundabout way and spending more time.
This ensures the effect of mobilizing all available resources. In general, this can cause a specific feeling of vigor and internal lift, close to euphoria. These sensations are well known to smokers, since nicotine stimulates the release of adrenaline, and the invigorating euphoric effect of a cigarette is largely due to adrenaline. Some people enjoy these sensations so much that they seek to extract adrenaline from their own adrenal glands over and over again, putting themselves in danger. This behavior is called adrenaline addiction. However, to get the next "dose" it is not at all necessary to jump with a parachute or ride a motorcycle. You just need to pour a bucket of ice water over yourself. The point is that adrenaline is an adaptogen. That is, it is released in response to any stress, including physical,and not just in response to danger. It is with this that the fashion for cold dousing is connected, which invigorates no worse than a cigarette or escape from an angry dog. But you have to pay for everything. Everyone knows that drugs are bad. And even if the drug or stimulant is secreted by the body itself, it is still bad. The destructive effect of the regular injection of adrenaline into the blood is just good to observe on lovers of cold dousing. First morning douche invigorates the whole day. If the procedure is repeated every morning, then over time the supply of vigor will be enough for a shorter and shorter period. In the end, it will only last for a few minutes, and at the same time many internal cataclysms will occur, which can be called in one simple expression - general wear and tear of the body.which is as invigorating as a cigarette or running away from an angry dog. But you have to pay for everything. Everyone knows that drugs are bad. And even if the drug or stimulant is secreted by the body itself, it is still bad. The destructive effect of the regular injection of adrenaline into the blood is just good to observe on lovers of cold dousing. First morning douche invigorates the whole day. If the procedure is repeated every morning, then over time the supply of vigor will be enough for a shorter and shorter period. In the end, it will only last for a few minutes, and at the same time many internal cataclysms will occur, which can be called in one simple expression - general wear and tear of the body.which is as invigorating as a cigarette or running away from an angry dog. But you have to pay for everything. Everyone knows that drugs are bad. And even if the drug or stimulant is secreted by the body itself, it is still bad. The destructive effect of the regular injection of adrenaline into the blood is just good to observe on lovers of cold dousing. First morning douche invigorates the whole day. If the procedure is repeated every morning, then over time the supply of vigor will be enough for a shorter and shorter period. In the end, it will only last for a few minutes, and at the same time many internal cataclysms will occur, which can be called in one simple expression - general wear and tear of the body.it's still bad. The destructive effect of the regular injection of adrenaline into the blood is just good to observe on lovers of cold dousing. First morning douche invigorates the whole day. If the procedure is repeated every morning, then over time the supply of vigor will be enough for a shorter and shorter period. In the end, it will only last for a few minutes, and at the same time many internal cataclysms will occur, which can be called in one simple expression - general wear and tear of the body.it's still bad. The destructive effect of the regular injection of adrenaline into the blood is just good to observe on lovers of cold dousing. First morning douche invigorates the whole day. If the procedure is repeated every morning, then over time the supply of vigor will be enough for a shorter and shorter period. In the end, it will only last for a few minutes, and at the same time many internal cataclysms will occur, which can be called in one simple expression - general wear and tear of the body. In the end, it will only last for a few minutes, and at the same time many internal cataclysms will occur, which can be called in one simple expression - general wear and tear of the body. In the end, it will only last for a few minutes, and at the same time many internal cataclysms will occur, which can be called in one simple expression - general wear and tear of the body.
Norepinephrine - the hormone of rage
Almost everyone knows the sensation of slight dizziness at the same time as "fogging up" the head, a surge of strength and wild rage that wants only to destroy. It is believed that this is the action of norepinephrine, the hormone of rage and anger. This is true to some extent, but with amendments. Stress triggers the release of a number of hormones into the bloodstream, the main and most potent of which is adrenaline. Norepinephrine is somewhat weaker and easier on the body as a whole, and its effect should be considered only in combination with adrenaline. And it ultimately depends on the ratio of ingredients in this "cocktail" (and also on a number of factors) whether the response to stress will be more aggressive or, on the contrary, cowardly.
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Norepinephrine constricts blood vessels more strongly and increases blood pressure more strongly. But it has a significantly lesser effect on other functions of the body. For example, breathing and heart rate. Norepinephrine is an essential component in the mechanism of wakefulness, causing a person to be more focused and active. Its higher concentration can actually trigger a rather aggressive stress response. The ratio of adrenaline to norepinephrine in blood in response to stress is a physiologically predetermined value, and nothing can be done about it. Therefore, cowardice to a certain extent can be considered an inborn character trait. But not everything is so sad, because not everything in our life is determined by physiology. It's just that courage is given to some easily and naturally, while others will have to educate it, that's all. It is similar to the development of physical strength - for some it is enough to walk a little in the gym, and the muscles immediately grow, while others have to work much more. But in the final analysis, the victory goes not to the more talented, but to the more hardworking. This will be discussed below.
Testosterone - the hormone of courage
If adrenaline and norepinephrine are released in the body in response to stress in general, and danger in particular, then testosterone is present in the blood at a more or less constant concentration all the time. And his action is also constant, he keeps the reactions caused by him at a certain level. Testosterone is mainly produced by the testes of men and determines their masculinity of the image - developed muscles, facial hair, low timbre of the voice, narrow pelvis and broad shoulders. It is also produced in some quantities by the adrenal glands and also by the ovaries of women. Therefore, women can also have increased testosterone levels, which gives them a masculine appearance. But testosterone isn't just responsible for physical performance. He also gives character what one word can describe as masculinity. This is some kind of aggressiveness, but not situational, but rather conceptual, when you want to expand your sphere of influence, to be the first, to conquer new territories in the literal and figurative sense of the word. That is, to do everything that men usually do. In a narrower, practical sense, high testosterone levels give a person courage, a desire to take risks, and most importantly, the ability to endure momentary difficulties for the sake of triumph of subsequent achievement.and most importantly - the ability to endure momentary difficulties for the sake of the triumph of subsequent achievement.and most importantly - the ability to endure momentary difficulties for the sake of the triumph of subsequent achievement.
The amount of adrenaline and norepinephrine produced is predetermined and cannot be corrected, but testosterone levels can be influenced. Therefore, you can overcome cowardice and timidity not only by cultivating opposite qualities, but also by correcting physiological processes! The shortest and most natural way to increase testosterone levels is through exercise. But not just any horrible one, but with maximum weights. And the exercises should also be special - basic. They are also called polyarticular, because when performing them, several joints are necessarily involved at once. In fact, there are two main exercises for increasing testosterone levels: the squat with a barbell and the deadlift. The bench press, pull-up on the bar, and the press up from the chest also work well. Experienced readers have easily learned almost the entire set of exercises that trainers give to beginners. And they give it because it literally causes a "testosterone explosion", as a result of which the same explosive muscle growth begins. And only after at least six months after the regular use of this testosterone complex, it makes sense to connect isolating exercises to give the overgrown muscles a more beautiful shape.
There are other tricks to boosting testosterone levels. Some recommend men to have intensive sex life and preparations from the creeping anchor. And testosterone antagonist products are best avoided. These include, first of all, beer, which gives rise to a specific "beer" effeminate figure with all the ensuing physiological consequences. Soy foods are also not very good in this sense, so the protein needed for muscle growth is better for athletes to get from meat, fish and dairy products. I especially want to warn against the use of chemicals for enhanced muscle growth. They are either derivatives or analogs of testosterone. In either case, after a short-term effect is achieved, the synthesis of natural testosterone in the body is suppressed, and it is extremely difficult to restore it later. Summing up the above, it can be argued that there are ways to influence the physiology of the body in order to develop courage. And this is primarily an exercise in athleticism, which develops not only muscles, but also other attributes of masculinity.
Author: Valentin Rykov
