What is the Difference Between Adrenaline and Cortisol

Adrenaline and cortisol are two hormones produced by the adrenaline glands. The adrenal glands, also known as suprarenal glands, are important endocrine glands in the human body. They are located above the kidneys. The adrenal cortex typically produces three main types of steroid hormones: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids (such as cortisol), and androgens. The adrenal medulla produces catecholamines, including epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine, and dopamine.

The key difference between adrenaline and cortisol is that adrenaline is a hormone produced by the adrenal medulla, and it helps to prepare for stressful or dangerous situations, while cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, and it regulates the body’s stress response and helps control the body’s use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Adrenaline  
3. What is Cortisol
4. Similarities – Adrenaline and Cortisol
5. Adrenaline vs Cortisol in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Adrenaline vs Cortisol
7. FAQ – Adrenaline and Cortisol

What is Adrenaline?

Adrenaline is a catecholamine produced by the adrenal medulla. It is also known as epinephrine. Adrenaline rush is the process of quick release of adrenaline into the bloodstream. This prepares the body for a “fight or flight” response. Epinephrine is derived from tyrosine, an amino acid. However, adrenaline is an amine and not a peptide hormone. Adrenaline also acts as a neurotransmitter.

Figure 01: Adrenaline

The body releases adrenaline into the bloodstream in response to danger, extreme stress, or excitement. When this hormone is high, people may feel more alert, have more energy, and have less sensitivity to pain. Furthermore, when adrenal glands produce too much adrenaline, it can cause high blood pressure from pheochromocytoma.

What is Cortisol?

Cortisol (hydrocortisone) is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It is released sporadically throughout the day by the adrenal cortex. Cortisol is important for many functions in the body, including regulating high blood pressure, blood sugar levels, memory formation, balancing the salt and water levels in the body, reducing inflammation, and regulating sleep cycles.

Figure 02: Cortisol

Normally, having high levels of cortisol for an extended period of time is usually considered Cushing’s syndrome. On the other hand, having lower-than-normal cortisol levels is considered adrenal insufficiency. Cortisol is also associated with chronic stress.

Similarities Between Adrenaline and Cortisol

1. Adrenaline and cortisol are two hormones produced by the adrenaline glands.
2. Much like cortisol, adrenaline is involved in the body’s fight-or-flight response.
3. Both hormones perform very important functions in the body.
4. Abnormal levels of both hormones may cause different disorders.

Difference Between Adrenaline and Cortisol

Definition

1. Adrenaline is an amine hormone and a neurotransmitter.
2. Cortisol is a steroid hormone.

Produced by

1. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenaline medulla.
2. Cortisol is produced by the adrenaline cortex.

Release

1. Adrenaline is quickly released into the bloodstream.
2. Cortisol is sporadically released throughout the day into the bloodstream.

Concentration

1. Adrenaline plasma concentration in adults is usually less than 10 ng/L.
2. Cortisol plasma concentration in adults usually ranges 10 to 20 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).

Function

1. Adrenaline makes people feel more alert, have more energy, and are less sensitive to pain; it increases heart rate, heightens senses, increases breathing because of expanded air passageways, and slows digestion.
2. Cortisol controls the stress response, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, regulates the metabolism and blood sugar levels, controls salt and water balance, and supports a developing fetus.

Associated Diseases

1. High levels of adrenaline can cause high blood pressure from pheochromocytoma.
2. High levels of cortisol cause Cushing’s syndrome and chronic stress, while low levels result in adrenaline insufficiency.

The following table summarizes the difference between adrenaline and cortisol.

Summary – Adrenaline vs Cortisol

Adrenaline and cortisol are hormones produced by adrenal glands and involved in the body’s fight-or-flight response. However, adrenaline is an amine hormone (catecholamine) and a neurotransmitter produced by the adrenaline medullar, while cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. Furthermore, adrenaline helps people prepare for stressful or dangerous situations, whereas cortisol regulates the body’s stress response and helps control the body’s metabolism. This is the summary of the difference between adrenaline and cortisol.

FAQ: Adrenaline and Cortisol

1. What is the function of the adrenaline gland?

• Adrenaline gland is a small gland on top of the kidney. It is an endocrine gland and makes steroid hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.

2. What causes an adrenaline rush?

• In response to a threatening or exciting situation and danger, the brain sends a message to the adrenal glands and tells them to release adrenaline. This hormone rushes out quickly into the blood, triggering changes in the heart, lungs, and brain, which make people better able to respond to such situations. Therefore, an adrenaline rush is a physical feeling of intense excitement and stimulation caused by the release of adrenaline.

3. What are the main functions of adrenaline?

• The key functions of adrenaline include increasing the heart rate, increasing blood pressure, expanding the air passages of the lungs, enlarging the pupil in the eye, decreasing sensitivity to pain, improving vision, hearing, and other senses, slowing digestion, and changing the body’s metabolism.

4. What part of the adrenal gland produces cortisol?

• Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex of two adrenal glands, which are located on top of each kidney. Normally, the pituitary gland in the brain regulates cortisol production.

5. What is the function of the cortisol?

• Cortisol is a steroid hormone and it regulates a wide range of processes in the body, including regulating the body’s stress response, and controlling the body’s use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates or metabolism.

Reference:

1. “Epinephrine (Adrenaline): WAdrenaline 3D ballhat It Is, Function, Deficiency & Side Effects.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Cortisol: What It Does & How to Regulate Cortisol Levels.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Adrenaline 3D ball” By Jynto (talk) – This image was created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cortisol-3D-balls-2” By Jynto (talk) – This image was created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia

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