What exactly is adrenaline and cortisol and how do they work?

Question

What are they composed of? How do they work? What are the positive and negative effects? It seems to me that if adrenaline and cortisol could make humans so powerful, why isn't it in constant use? Or at least used more often? Are there documented abnormalities that make the adrenal gland produce more adrenaline and cortisol, or possibly produce them with higher quality? Please tell me as much as you know about any and all of these subjects. Expert opinion and speculation is appreciated.

Answer 1

I can answer half your question - the half about cortisol. There is a documented abnormality of too much cortisol. The reason cortisol cannot *stay* in use in the body is that it is destructive. Small bursts are okay - but a sustained high amount is what is called the disease Cushing's Syndrome - and causes weight gain, muscle and bone deterioration, depression, sleeplessness, purple stretch marks, buffalo hump, loss or hair, diabetes, elevated blood pressure, elevated glucose, acne, poor healing... I could go on and on. It can lead to death.

Too little cortisol is also destructive and that is called Addison's disease. It can also lead to death.

Answer 2

I don't know about Cortisol. I can tell you a lot about Adrenaline. Adrenaline is a hormone that only works involuntarily. When your brain feels like it is in danger Adrenaline kicks in. You are thinking you feel it on a roller coster, it is nothing like that. Your heart pumps 400 beats a minute and all your body works 4 times faster. It makes you feel like you are in the matrix. But with great power comes a side afect. In this case musle damage and pain.

Answer 3

I'm certainly not an expert in this area nor will I speculate.  I'll simply offer this:  Adrenaline (epinephrine) is a catecholamine.  Cortisol is a glucocorticoid.  The molecules are highly different in structure.  Epinephrine is primarily synthesized in the Suprarenal (Adrenal) medulla, whereas Cortisol is manufactured in the zone fasciculata of the suprarenal cortex.  It's unclear to me how these two agents could be used in creating more powerful human beings.

I highly recommend you consult an authoritative source regarding the biochemistry and physiology underlying the biosynthesis and mechanisms of action for these molecules.