When the brain perceives danger, it goes to work. It diverts energy and blood flow from internal organs to muscles, increases heart rate and blood pressure, expands airways in the lungs, enlarges the pupils and alters the metabolism to maximize blood glucose levels. And, that’s just the beginning.
It also tells the adrenal glands to release the Kraken! That Kraken comes in the form of adrenaline. That beautiful hormone can be our saving grace. Literally.
A sudden rush of adrenaline can make you feel a bit like a super hero and there’s a good reason for that: your brain thinks you need to be a super hero! However, that rush does not give you superhuman capabilities. It simply allows you to access abilities your body has always had but reserved for special occasions.
Despite what many think, and what is almost never portrayed on the screen or page, adrenaline has ill effects and aftereffects. However, on this post, we’re just going to look at its sunny side.
Adrenaline can cause:
1. Increase in strength and speed – You may be able to drag that large man away from the burning vehicle and outrun that dog. (I have read of people lifting cars and I’m not sure that is so much adrenaline as divine intervention. BUT, you are definitely stronger.)
2. Diminished pain response – This is why people who have been stabbed may not even know it until they see the blood and even then, they may not realize it’s their own blood. And, just as well, they may break something and not know it. (See video) Diminished pain response allows you to handle the emergency situation without being distracted by your own injuries.
3. Heightened senses – Tunnel vision, objects seeming larger and acute hearing can all be experienced. This allows you to focus on the threat or emergency at hand.
4. Pupil dilation – This goes directly with heightened senses. The pupils enlarge to allow in more light and allow for better vision.
5. Time distortion – Yes, things really do appear to go in slow motion. According to Live Science, “…such time warping seems to be a trick played by one’s memory. When a person is scared, a brain area called the amygdala becomes more active, laying down an extra set of memories that go along with those normally taken care of by other parts of the brain.” (http://www.livescience.com/2117-time-slow-emergencies.html)
6. Emotional detachment – This allows you to deal with the situation without letting emotion cloud judgement or muddle thinking. In my teens I was in a car accident with my best friend. When the car came to rest on its side, I opened my eyes and saw that I was spattered in blood. I calmly felt my face and neck for injuries. I then noticed my friend who had gone through then come back in through the windshield. She was covered in blood and lifeless. I thought, this is not my blood. This is her blood. I am in the car with a dead girl. I need to get out. If I unbuckle my seatbelt, I will fall on her. I need to step on the steering wheeI. I can’t. My legs are broken. I need to scream for help. Every thought was clear and calm. It wasn’t until I was out of the car and on my feet that I began shaking and reality set it. Thanks be to the good Lord, my friend is alive and well.
In the next round at FightWrite.net, we will look at the not so great, throw-uppy, pants wetty side of adrenaline. Until then, get blood on your pages!
Hey, good article!
I've used LTC Dave Grossman's books On Killing and On Combat as references for this topic. He doesn't just talk about adrenaline, but all the effects combat and other related high-stress situations have on a person.
He's got a website called "killology" and a page on that site that talks about your topic, giving the same basic info you've got, but with more detail. If your readers want more detail covering combat stress effects, here's a link:
https://www.killology.com/psychological-effects-of-combat
Have a great day!
(Well, LTC Grossman actually talks mostly about psychology in the article I linked–but also about physiological effects…)
Just bought that book!
For newest news you have to pay a quick visit internet and on web I found this web site as a best web page for latest updates.
Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
If you know of any please share. Cheers!
Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this site regularly, this site is truly nice and the visitors are really sharing pleasant thoughts.
Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
I feel this is among the so much important info for me. And i
am glad studying your article. However wanna remark on some general issues, The website style is great, the articles is in reality nice :
D. Just right job, cheers
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
You are so cool! I do not believe I have read anything like
that before. So great to find someone with a few unique thoughts
on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up.
This site is one thing that is required on the web, someone with a
little originality!
Wonderful items from you, man. I have bear in mind your stuff prior to
and you are simply extremely magnificent. I actually like what you have obtained here, really like what you’re
stating and the best way through which you assert it.
You’re making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to keep it wise.
I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is actually a tremendous website.
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Cheers! Exactly where
are your contact details though?
I feel that is among the such a lot significant information for me.
And i’m happy studying your article. But wanna remark on some general issues, The
web site style is wonderful, the articles is in point of
fact excellent : D. Just right task, cheers
you are truly a excellent webmaster. The site loading pace is incredible.
It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a magnificent process in this topic!
Hi there, its nice piece of writing concerning media print, we all know media is a enormous
source of data.
each time i used to read smaller articles or reviews that
as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing which I am reading at
this place.
Hi there friends, how is everything, and what you desire to say about
this piece of writing, in my view its genuinely remarkable for me.
I am no longer positive the place you’re getting your info, however good topic.
I must spend a while studying more or working out more.
Thanks for wonderful information I used to be
searching for this info for my mission.
Hey there I am so glad I found your webpage, I really found you by error, while I was
looking on Yahoo for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS
feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome jo.
Actually when someone doesn’t understand then its up to other
viewers that they will help, so here it takes place.
Its such as you read my mind! You seem to grasp so much
approximately this, such as you wrote the guide in it or something.
I think that you just could do with some % to force the message home a little bit, but other than that,
that is great blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
This article is genuinely a fastidious one it helps new
web people, who are wishing for blogging.
Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with
hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation however
I to find this matter to be actually something that I feel I’d
never understand. It seems too complicated and very wide for me.
I’m taking a look forward in your next publish, I will try
to get the cling of it!
I really like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and exposure!
Keep up the good works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.
Great web site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your sweat!
Good article! We are linking to this great post on our
site. Keep up the good writing.
Hi there Dear, are you actually visiting this website on a regular basis, if so after
that you will absolutely take pleasant experience.
I’m excited to find this great site. I wanted to thank you for ones time due to this fantastic read!!
I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it
and i also have you book marked to look at new information in your web site.
I’m curious to find out what blog platform you’re using?
I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest website and I’d
like to find something more risk-free. Do you
have any suggestions?
May I simply say what a comfort to uncover someone that genuinely understands what they are talking about on the internet.
You definitely know how to bring a problem to
light and make it important. More and more people have to check this out and
understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular
because you definitely have the gift.
I do believe all of the ideas you have offered on your
post. They are very convincing and will certainly work.
Still, the posts are very quick for beginners. May just you please
extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.
I was able to find good information from your content.
Hi there, this weekend is good in support of me, because this moment
i am reading this wonderful educational post here at my home.
It’s awesome to go to see this web page and reading the views of
all colleagues about this piece of writing, while I am also zealous of getting experience.