How to Balance Elevated Norepinephrine Levels Naturally
Norepinephrine (NE) is the brain chemical associated with panic, fear and other heightened states of emotion with corresponding increase in blood pressure, heart rate and brain activity. Increase in the levels of this hormone may have corresponding beneficial results, such as increase in concentration; however, there are just as many negative effects. First, a mild increase in norepinephrine levels may result in heightened pleasurable (and maybe addictive) arousal states just like the psychological effects of cocaine and amphetamines. Second, a moderate level of increase in the levels of norepinephrine may create uncomfortable feelings of arousal, such as anxiety, worry, jumpiness, fears of people and increased startle reflexes. Muscle tension, cramps and rapid fatigue are also among the direct effects. Lastly, a sudden and severe increase in norepinephrine levels triggers panic attacks and even phobic episodes. Treatment to lower levels of norepinephrine involves decreasing the levels of this chemical directly or boosting other neurotransmitters that reduce norepinephrine activity. Medications are a popular choice of treatment, but natural treatments to balance norepinephrine levels may be just as effective.
Things You'll Need
- Classical music
- Biofeedback techniques guide
- Balanced diet
- Exercise equipment
Instructions
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Instructions
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Do your best to reduce stress. When somebody is under stress, epinephrine and norepinephrine are immediately released by the brain into the bloodstream, thus causing an elevation in heart rate and a corresponding increase in blood pressure. You can reduce stress naturally through meditation, classical music or yoga.
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Give yourself moments of silence and relaxation with minimal mental activity through meditation. Focus your attention on one object of choice, preferably something as simple as a flower. Look at it as if you were in awe and without mentally evaluating it. This will result in a reduction in brain activity, which has a corresponding decrease in the production of norepinephrine.
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Consider using biofeedback. Consult with your doctor about how to use this system of mental exercises in order to train your mind to become calmer.
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Maintain a balanced diet. This can aid in maintaining healthy levels of norepinephrine in the brain. Ideally, your diet should consist of balanced amounts of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
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Limit your intake of foods that are rich sources of tyrosine. Tyrosine is converted by the body into norepinephrine. Useful sources of tyrosine are cheese, apples, bananas, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, beans and legumes.
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Exercise regularly to maintain your health and release stress. Exercise is one of the most efficient ways to train the body not to get stressed out often, which means the same as training how to reduce brain norepinephrine levels.
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Tips & Warnings
Seek a doctor's advice before making any changes in lifestyle in order to balance levels of norepinephrine. The doctor may have an idea about what kind of relaxation techniques you should use and how often you should do them.
Severe decrease in norepinephrine might result in sluggishness, drowsiness, lack of concentration or depression.
