Adrenalin is a hormone secreted from the body’s two adrenal glands, which are located on top of each kidney, whenever a person is afraid, excited, fearful or otherwise under stress. It stimulates the central nervous system, making the heart beat faster, increasing energy, sugar levels and the ability to move. It is associated with the “fight or flight” response, in that whenever a person is aroused in fear they will either confront the threat or flee from it. In either case, they will receive an “adrenalin rush” from their body.
Some people actually seek out “adrenalin rushes” by exercising, living their lives at a crisis level and engaging in risky behaviors such as extreme sports or high stakes gambling. Playing video games can produce an adrenalin rush, a response that some scientists believe is the basis for gaming addictions. People who suffer from panic attacks or anxiety can have abnormally high levels of adrenalin.
Adrenalin can be used therapeutically as a drug to treat asthma.