Elevated norepinephrine activity seems to be a contributor to anxiousness. Also, brain norepinephrine turnover is increased in conditions of stress. Interestingly, benzodiazepines, the primary anxiolytic drugs, decrease firing of norepinephrine neurons. This may also help explain the reasoning for benzodiazepine use to induce sleep.
High levels are associated with aggression, anxiety, emotional lability, hyperactivity, mania, stress and suppression of the immune system.
In addition high levels of norepinephrine can be related to:
- Stress
- Hyperactivity
- High blood pressure
- ADD
- Anxiety and depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Hyperglycemia
- Hyperinsulemia
- Obesity
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- PTSD
- Stress
Low levels of Norepinephrine contribute to a decrease in mood, energy, focus, motivation and memory.
Norepinephrine functions both as a neurotransmitter and a hormone, participating in the body’s fight or flight response. Norepinephrine increases alertness, focuses attention, fine-tunes vigilance, increases blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose, reduces digestive activity, pain and sleep, prevents bladder emptying, and regulates body temperature. The adrenal gland produces approximately 20% of norepinephrine with 80% produced by the sympathetic nerve fibers. Research shows that urinary norepinephrine is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Clinically, low norepinephrine is implicated in anorexia, attention impairment, depression, fatigue, hypotension, lack of motivation, lethargy, low mood, memory issues, slow pulse rate, and weight issues.
In addition low levels of norepinephrine can be related to:
- Lack of energy
- Lack of focus
- Lack of motivation
- Attention impairment
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Hypotension
- Low mood
Can also be seen in:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Anorexia
Possible treatment:
If norepinephrine is low, precursor supplementation with tyrosine or phenylalanine, or cofactor support with ascorbic acid, iron, tetrahydrofolic acid, and vitamin B6 may be beneficial. Consult your doctor before starting any supplementation.
Norepinephrine, also called noradrenaline, is an excitatory neurotransmitter produced in the CNS, as well as a stress hormone produced in the adrenal medulla. Norepinephrine is involved in a wide variety of actions including attention, focus, regulating heart rate, affecting blood flow, and suppressing inflammation. Involved in arousal, it prepares the body for action by relaying messages in the sympathetic nervous system as part of the autonomic nervous system’s fight-or-flight response.
Norepinephrine
