Adrenaline, Oxytocin or Melatonin, which is the most powerful?

by audreybucket (student)

Adrenaline, Oxytocin or Melatonin- which is the most powerful?

The most powerful hormone in my opinion is adrenaline. Epinephrine, better known as adrenaline, is a hormone secreted from the adrenal glands, which is located on the kidneys. The adrenal glands are one of the body's endocrine glands or one of the glands producing substances that are distributed throughout the body by the bloodstream. Adrenaline is produced in small amounts by the adrenal glands continuously, but when the body is but through excitement, danger or emotional stress, the brain sends a message to the glands which in turn increase the level of adrenaline. Adrenaline increases the fabrication of energy in the body and switches all the sensory processes up to full alert, shuts down less important processes like digestion, constricts small blood vessels, and releases sugar stored in the liver. It also leads to increase in blood sugar levels, higher heart rate and increase in blood pressure.

Why is adrenaline stronger than oxytocin and melatonin? Well, while melatonin regulates the body’s circadian rhythm (the body’s internal 24 hour clock) and oxytocin triggers contractions and nipple stimulation, adrenaline essentially turns your body into a “war machine.” Basically, it drives the body to the highest levels of energy and concentration in order to prepare it to fight for the single most important thing in life, survival. For example, the average man normally finds it difficult to run a long way. But, when the man is in danger of being caught or hurt by something behind him, he runs perhaps twice ...

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Some researchers would argue that melatonin would be the strongest hormone because it is used in the treatment of various severe illnesses, disorders and hormonal transitions such as insomnia, menopause, breast cancer and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But studies have shown that melatonin simply reduces certain aspects of the disease it is treating. For example, in regards to menopause, melatonin has been found to help with sleep problems associated with it but has no visible effect on symptoms such as hot flashes. Also, it is unclear how well melatonin works on insomniacs- some studies suggest that it only reduces the amount of time to fall asleep by a few minutes.

Adrenaline however is widely known as the most powerful vasopressor (causing a rise in blood pressure) which is used as a drug for treating terminal conditions like cardiac arrest and other cardiac functional abnormalities. A shot of epinephrine injected in a patient who is going into cardiac arrest, constricts the blood vessels in other muscles, causing more blood flow towards the heart and the blood pumping rate increases. On the other hand, when activated, epinephrine also causes the narrowing or constriction of smooth muscles, resulting in decreased blood supply in some parts and increases resistance to blood flow in the arteries. This makes the skin pale, as less and less blood reaches it. This measure achieves conservation of body warmth. This is how naturally produced adrenaline or epinephrine revs up the body engine, for high performance.

In conclusion, as a hormone or a drug, adrenaline is the most powerful out of the three hormones which of course means that it is the most dangerous.