Are you tired of relying on adrenaline to get through your day? The rush of this powerful hormone can be exhilarating and helpful for treatment of certain ailments, but it’s not always sustainable or healthy in the long run. Fortunately, there are alternatives to adrenaline that can give you a natural boost of energy and focus without the negative side effects.
Whether you’re looking to improve your performance at work, in sports, or just in daily life, these 20 Adrenaline alternatives can help you stay energized and alert without sacrificing your health and wellbeing. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind adrenaline, its effects on the body and mind, and safe alternatives you should consider.
So, let’s get started;
What is Adrenaline?
Adrenaline is often described as the “fight or flight” hormone, responsible for preparing our bodies for action in moments of danger or high stress. It’s what makes our hearts race, our palms sweat, and our senses sharpen when faced with a challenge. But adrenaline is more than just a physical response; it’s a complex and fascinating chemical that plays a critical role in our survival and wellbeing.
Even though this hormone is synthesized naturally in the adrenal gland, it is also made in labs and prescribed for different ailments. It belongs to a class of drugs called Alpha/Beta Adrenergic Agonists; Alpha/Beta Agonists.
Adrenaline is used for the treatment of;
- Cardiac arrest
- Anaphylaxis
- Symptomatic bradycardia
- Mydriasis
Why Look for Adrenaline Alternatives?
Even though adrenaline is usually prescribed for treatment of different cases, there is such a thing as an overdose. Before we explore how excessive adrenaline can be harmful to your system, it’s important to understand how adrenaline affects the body.
Adrenaline makes your heart beat faster, which sends more blood to your brain and muscles. It also helps your lungs breathe more efficiently while increasing your blood sugar levels for more energy. As a result, you feel stronger and immune to pain and other emotions that should usually trigger you. Unfortunately, these actions can lead to high blood pressure, insomnia, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Negative Consequences of Excessive Adrenaline
Having too much adrenaline in your system can cause one or more of the following side effects;
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Quick heartbeat
- Feeling jittery
- Vision changes
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Anxiety
- Throbbing headaches
- Pale skin
- Tremors
Overall, long term use of adrenaline isn’t always an advisable path to follow. The chances of you developing some of the side effects mentioned above gets higher with time.
Your body can also produce excess adrenaline if you’re an adrenaline junkie or deal with mental stress. While it’s no where near the harmful levels you can get from prescription medication, it can also affect your ability to relax and sleep . So, we’ll be exploring different Adrenaline alternatives for both medication and activities.
Benefits of Exploring Adrenaline Alternatives
The major benefit of exploring other alternatives to Adrenaline is reduced side effects. Other benefits could also include;
- Budget-friendly
- Better accessible options
- Healthy body system
- Adequate rest
Now, let’s get started;
20 Adrenaline Alternatives
1. Benadryl
Benadryl is an antihistamine used for the treatment of allergic reactions such as watery and itchy eyes, a rash, runny nose, cough, sneezes, and other related ailments. It’s also known as a Diphenhydramine and has the potential to help you relax and fall back asleep. Your dosage of Benadryl usually depends on your age, weight, and medical history. Nevertheless, it’s important to take your prescription as instructed by your physician.
While adrenaline is often prescribed for anaphylaxis, benadryl might also help in its treatment. However, it depends on the severity, because adrenaline works within minutes compared to Benadryl. Hence, you need to speak with your doctor before choosing one.
2. Albuterol
Albuterol is another effective Adrenaline alternative for the treatment of asthma attacks. Also called Salbutamol, this medication is used to relieve symptoms of diseases that affect the lungs such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. So, it helps with wheezing, tightness in the chest, coughing, and others.
Even though both medications are excellent solutions, they are different. They work on different receptors in the body and Albuterol is a prescription-only inhaler. Also, adrenaline isn’t used to treat patients with COPD or high blood pressure.
3. Cetrizine
Cetrizine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergic reactions that accompanies cold, coughs, and other diseases. It’s usually prescribed with other medications to alleviate itchy/watery eyes, hives, sneezing, runny nose, and other related symptoms. In addition, it can also be used in treating anaphylaxis.
Epinephrine/adrenaline is mostly used for severe cases of anaphylaxis. However, cetrizine can also be administer intravenously depending on the severity. There are also cases where both medications are used at the same time.
4. Prednisone
Prednisone is a Adrenaline alternative, and a corticosteroid used for the treatment of inflammation, allergies, breathing problems, skin allergies, immune system diseases, and others. This steroid is often used to replace adrenaline in treating anaphylaxis because it prevents biphasic symptoms.
Biphasic symptoms means the reoccurrence of an attack within 72 hours. So, Prednisone is more likely to keep you out of the hospital longer than adrenaline. However, you need to speak to a doctor before using this medication.
5. Bisoprolol
Bisoprolol is one of the best beta blockers for the treatment of high blood pressure and cardiac arrest. This medication works by slowing down your heart rate and thus, the pressure on your heart. It also prevents subsequent occurrences of high blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.
The reason why Bisoprolol is considered a better alternative to Adrenaline is because it doesn’t worsen brain damage. Adrenaline reduces blood flow to the brain while treating cardiac arrest which can worsen brain damage.
6. Carvedilol
Carvedilol relaxes the blood vessels in the body, which in turn reduces high blood pressure. Adrenaline is great for treating high blood pressure, however Carvedilol might be better because it stops the production of adrenaline. In addition, this drug also affects the lungs so it’s good for preventing lung disease.
Furthermore, it’s excellent for the treatment and prevention of Angina- ischemic chest pain.
7. Metoprolol Succinate
If you want another Adrenaline alternative for high blood pressure that you may need to consider. Similar to other beta-blockers, this drug slows down the heart and prevents subsequent cases of high blood pressure. In addition, it allows your heart function with less oxygen, which prevents chest pain.
Depending on your medical history and current diagnosis, your doctor may recommend this drug over adrenaline. It’s always best to consult your doctor before starting any medications.
8. Norvasc
Calcium channel blockers such as Norvasc are also used to treat heart failure in place of adrenaline. Also called Amlodipine, this drug works by relaxing blood vessels to prevent angina, stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular diseases. Norvasc is a great emergency medication for hypertension and often preferred because of the mild side effects compared to Adrenaline.
9. Isoptin
Isoptin is another calcium blocker that works effectively for heart problems. This medication is also called Verapamil and it’s often presecribed for artrail fibrillation, hypertension, stroke, and kidney disease. The side effects of Isoptin are mild; dizziness and lightheadedness are the most common. However, you need to speak with your physician if the side effects get worse.
10. Plendil
Felodipine blocks calcium which causes the blood vessels in your body to be wider. Thus, preventing stress on your heart which could lead to high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, angina, stroke, and many others. You’re meant to take this medication whole and without food once a day. Crushing the pill can cause your body to feel the effect too soon, which could lead to worse side effects.
11. Pilocarpine
Pilocarpine is one of the most popular agent used in the treatment of mydriasis. Mydriasis is a severe case of dilated pupils that are caused in response to trauma, illnesses, or medication. Pilocarpine is mostly used to treat glaucoma, which is effective in low doses.
Akin to Adrenaline, Pilocarpine constricts the blood vessels in the eye which reverses the dialtion. Atropine may cause side effects such as photophobia, dry eyes, dizziness, so speak to a doctor first before starting it.
12. Atropine
Atropine can be used as an alternative to Adrenaline in the treatment of symptomatic Bradycardia. Bradycardia simply means a slow heart rate, which can ironically be a side effect of excessive use of beta blockers. Fortunately Atropine increases the heart rate and reverses symptomatic bradycardia.
This is usually the first line of treatment for this disease, which is usually enough to reverse it. If it persists, then doctors always seek a different approach.
13. Dopamine
Dopamine is one of the best vaso stimulants used in the treatment of symptomatic bradycardia. Similar to atropine, Dopamine helps with low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, and low heart rate. It’s usually given in low doses of 0.2-5 kg per minute when atropine isn’t effective.
This alternative to Adrenaline in low doses has less side effects. It’s important to speak up about any weird side effects following the administration of dopamine as it usually never occurs.
When you have adrenaline constantly flowing in your system, it can be difficult to relax and sometimes sleep at night. So, here are a few tips to control your adrenaline levels;
14. Taking Deep Breaths
Having too much adrenaline leads to different symptoms that point to the fact that you’re stressed. And one of the best ways to deal with stress is to take a few minutes to breathe. Deep breaths activate your parasympathetic nervous system and allow you to calm down naturally.
15. Meditation
Meditation is one of the easiest ways to clear your mind of worrying thoughts and access a state of tranquility. When you take time to yourself to meditate, you might also find the solution to whatever keeps you up at night.
16. Yoga
The benefits of yoga are endless- better health, energy, weight loss, relaxation, sleep, mental health, and many more. If you haven’t tried yoga before, this may be the sign to do so. It helps every part of your body relax and function optimally.
17. Exercise
Staying active is also an excellent way to reduce the Adrenaline in your system. Even though activities might encourage adrenaline junkies to explore more adventure, exercise helps. It could be anything from brisk walking to jumping jacks; they’re both relaxing and beneficial to you.
18. Limit Caffeine
Caffeine keeps you active and can contribute to an Adrenaline rush because it activates the adrenal glands. However, this largely depends on different factors like the caffeinated product, time of consumption, and the individual. Some people have a higher tolerance for caffeine than others. Nevertheless, it’s always advised to skip coffee and caffeinated drinks before bed.
19. Limit Alcohol
Alcohol increases your blood sugar which in turn activates the release of adrenaline. Now, akin to caffeine, it depends on the concentration of alcohol and the individual. You’re probably nodding your head because you feel relaxed and sleepy after drinking. Sometimes, that’s the case and other times, it isn’t. In fact alcohol can contribute to interrupted sleep most times.
20. Healthy Sleep Schedule
Finally, training your body to sleep at a specific time might also be an alternative to adrenaline effects. Try as much as possible to sleep at a particular time every night and ensure your room is conducive for relaxation.
How to Choose the Right Adrenaline Alternative
Everyone’s needs are different so what works for another night not work for you. Hence, it’s crucial for you to consider certain factors before choosing one of the aforementioned alternatives to adrenaline.
Factors to consider
- Medical Condition
As you would notice for most of this article, it’s never advisable to start a drug based on your preference. However, your medical condition can determine the best adrenaline alternatives for you. The drug option for a person with a heart attack will be different from another with anaphylaxis or mydriasis.
It’s always a great idea to discuss your options with your doctor before trying out a new drug.
- Budget
Money is unfortunately an important factor when it comes to health-care. Sometimes, you might not be able to afford the best drugs for your condition. Nevertheless, it’s always essential to consider your budget and insurance before switching drugs and therapy. An EpiPen can cost as much as $400 in some pharmacies; with such a price point, you need to consider what you can afford.
- Location
Your drug choices can also be influenced by your area. Some of the excellent alternatives to adrenaline may not be readily available around you. Also, you may need to get a prescription before getting good options. Hence, you need to consider what’s in close proximity to you.
- Safety considerations
There’s always a risk when drugs are involved but this is where your medical history comes into the picture. Your doctor will likely ask you questions about your current condition- how long you’ve had it, what medication you’ve been on, and others. It’s essential to consider this to prevent any harmful drug interactions which could lead to serious side effects.
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Conclusion
Adrenaline may be a good fit for solving different heart related conditions, however, long term use is harmful. Excessive use of adrenaline could lead to a stroke, heart attack, headaches, insomnia, and others. Try one of these Adrenaline alternatives today for a better experience. Furthermore, be sure to speak with your physician first before taking new medication.