Adrenaline

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone and neurotransmitter the adrenal glands produce in response to stress or excitement. It plays a key role in the “fight or flight” response, increasing heart rate, dilating airways, and redirecting blood flow to support the body’s immediate reaction to a stressful situation.

From a nutritional psychology perspective, adrenaline can influence eating behavior during acute stress by temporarily shifting attention away from food and toward immediate demands. Stress-related changes in adrenaline and other stress hormones may also affect appetite, digestion, food choices, and energy use. Understanding these responses can help explain why people may experience changes in hunger or eating patterns during stressful situations.

Nutrition supports the physiological systems involved in the stress response by providing energy and essential nutrients needed for normal nervous-system and adrenal function. However, food does not directly eliminate adrenaline or prevent the body’s normal stress response. A broader nutritional psychology approach considers how diet interacts with stress, emotions, sleep, habits, and environmental factors to shape eating behavior and overall well-being.