and stored in the tissue where they are later used. A common hormone with which many people are familiar is epinephrine (adrenaline) – the “fight-or-flight” hormone. When a person is frightened, scared, or severely startled, this hormone is released by the adrenal glands into the blood stream. Epinephrine fits into target sites on the heart, brain, iris, smooth muscle tissue of the intestine, and other organs. The action of this hormone is to increase heart rate, which prepares a person for a proper response, eg, providing additional oxygen to leg muscles so the person can run fast if necessary. At the same time, epinephrine dilates the eyes, reduces circulation to the stomach and intestine, and increases circulation to the limbs (which can make a person feel physically agitated or “jumpy”).
