Neurotransmissions — Part 1: Norepinephrine

If we could better understand the functions and interactions of our neurochemical states, we could vastly elevate our psycho-physiological capabilities, banking on the idea that a cohesive and complimentary network of neurotransmissions is conducive towards holistic betterment.

In other words, if we can achieve the right balancing act with respect to our neurological states, we’d ideally benefit to an unparalleled degree. 

Some things are obvious — better sleep can help to regulate noradrenaline and noradrenaline regulation can help achieve better sleep. Simple. 

But other things aren’t as clear cut and ironically undercut the multitude of other efforts we may be undertaking to try and optimize our psycho-physiological profiles.

Whether we’re leveraging the reward-system feedback loops of dopamine or flattening the cascading waves of adrenaline, knowing the operative dynamics of different neurotransmitters can vastly enhance our daily psychological, emotional, physical and functional states of performative output.

By default, we seem to co-exist with these neurotransmitters or hormones by way of being reactive to their deployment throughout the physical structures of our brains — but what if we could be proactive? 

Part I: Norepinephrine [aka noradrenaline]

Neuroscience has only recently begun deciphering the specific benefits of norepinephrine as a catalyst for numerous critical cognitive functions — alertness, focus, memory — and the way in which it regulates blood pressure + flow throughout our system.

Things become more interesting when we consider the physical effectuations brought about the body’s natural release of noradrenaline — blood flow and oxygen are increased to the musculature to afford greater strength and speed; glycogen in the liver is converted to glucose to deliver more energy to the whole physiological system; the lungs open more to allow for better breathing and oxygenation into the blood and muscle systems; the pupils dilate (allowing more light to improve vision) and the heart starts pumping faster/harder. 

In effect, the body goes into a state of optimal performance, depending on the task at hand. 

A trivially obvious conclusion could be that it’s the perfect neurotransmitter to intentionally pair [via its activation] with some kind of physically and cognitively demanding activity — sports, hunting, debating.

Whether we’re looking for a recalibrated balancing of our systems or an enhancement to our overall function, tuning our neurotransmitter interactions should, by logic, curate advanced capacities for performative output.

At the very least, it should allow us to avoid stunting our default dispositions.

Whether we want to use such calibrations to be more productive or more adaptive, more cohesive or more equanimous — why not simply make life easier for our physiological systems that carry us on a day to day level? 

Why not create the most conducive environment possible with regards to pursuing increased performative output via easy, costless and self-derived methods rather than loading our systems with external products and ingredients?

Moreover, noradrenaline is responsible for much of our motivational outputs; if we read in between the lines, we can see that neurotransmitters like this one (or, say, dopamine with its reward cycles) are central to the intangible dimension that make or break our developmental efforts. 

Neurotransmitters function like the coding behind the scenes of our performance, the fuel intakes of our drive, and noradrenaline is one hormone in particular that can instigate either optimal performance or obstructive anxiety —a double edged sword of neurochemical influence on our psyche and our physiology alike.

Below are a few vaguely suggestive ways to raise, lower, and regulate noradrenaline levels, with the purposes of doing so widely dependent on the subjective nature of ones intention. 

Part II: Dopamine [Coming Soon]