Blood pulsing, heart pumping, sweat dripping. You might get this feeling at the top of a roller coaster right before the fall. Or maybe it’s the championship game and you’ve got the ball and the clock is ticking down. Whatever is happening in your life, the cause of this familiar feeling is something we all experience from time to time: Adrenaline.
Adrenaline can be a great feeling, like the moment before you go on stage, or it can be terrifying, like when you get in a car accident. Your body is pumped with adrenaline in both situations, and the feeling is both useful and unforgettable. The sounds, the sights, the awareness … everything pauses, and your body and mind are hyper aware. Sometimes it even feels as if everything is in slow motion. What a feeling!
But adrenaline is meant to be a tool. It’s supposed to help us think clearly in difficult situations, and for the most part it does its job well. But what happens when people get addicted to this feeling? When they seek it? When they go after that feeling on purpose?
Adrenaline addiction is real, but is it dangerous? Or is it a safe form of addiction? The answer is complicated.
Adrenaline addiction is a type of behavioral addiction. Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone that is produced by the body in certain situations. It’s often referred to as the “fight or flight” hormone. Adrenaline pumps your body full of energy resulting in an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, sweating, and heightened senses. It allows our mind to be clear and focused. Once the adrenaline subsides, the side effects disappear. But it’s these side effects that people seek when they become addicted to adrenaline-producing activities. These people, often called adrenaline junkies, enjoy these side effects and often describe it as "feeling alive or invincible."
Adrenaline addiction is one of the most misunderstood and complicated of all addictions. Why? Because like all behavioral addictions, there isn’t a product to blame. In the case of adrenaline addiction, it’s the high that comes from dangerous situations that keeps people coming back for more. In this sense, it goes against the body’s self-preservation instincts. What a contradiction, indeed.
Who is in danger of becoming addicted to adrenaline? It’s certainly a complicated issue, but research suggests that a few traits tend to be common among adrenaline junkies.
It should be made clear that not everyone who participates in extreme sports or occasional high-risk activity is addicted to adrenaline. In fact, there are many people who like to seek out the occasional adventure but who wouldn’t be considered addicts. What's the difference?
The biggest difference is the level of risk between adventure and adrenaline seeking. Adventurous people are always up for something fun, but generally safe. Adrenaline junkies tend to be impulsive and sometimes even reckless. They’ll do almost anything as long as it produces the adrenaline high whether the activity is deemed safe or not. Adrenaline addicts have the need for stimulation, not just the need for adventure. It’s a fine line, but once you see the differences between adventure seekers and adrenaline addicts, it will be obvious.
If you think that you might be an adrenaline addict, or you suspect that someone you love may be addicted to the high of an adrenaline rush, there are certain signs to watch out for.
Compared to other addictions, adrenaline addictions may seem rather mild. After all, what’s the harm? But this addiction, like any other, comes with many risks. The most obvious risk is harm during an activity. Because the activities of adrenaline addicts are often risky, there is risk of injury or even death. The more addicted the person, the riskier the behavior, and the higher the risk of major injury or worse.
But even if the activities remain relatively safe, there is risk of long-term health problems. Excess adrenaline can keep the heart rate and blood pressure up higher than is necessary. It can also cause the body to make excess stress hormones. When added together, this can raise the risk of heart problems, panic attacks, and ongoing anxiety.
One of the hardest parts about getting help with adrenaline addiction is recognizing that there is a problem. Lots of adrenaline addicts participate in behavior that is fun. Rock climbing, extreme sports, bungee jumping, skydiving. These activities can be a lot of fun, and plenty of people who are not adrenaline addicts participate in them. Diagnosis may require a trip to a mental health professional who can help determine whether your behaviors are dangerous. This professional can then help make a plan of action. Your treatment may include some of the following:
Although adrenaline addiction is probably not one of the first things that come to mind when it comes to envisioning addiction, it’s a problem that needs attention. It’s a real addiction with lasting consequences. If you find yourself always seeking adventure or your next adrenaline fix, it might be time to stop, slow down, and pay attention to the risk involved.
The racing heart, the panic, the moment time stands still. These feelings can make us feel truly alive, but there just aren’t any safe forms of addiction. Adrenaline is a tool that our body gives us, and it’s not to be abused. Find your adventure but leave the risk behind. Your health and future self will thank you.
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