Definition: Adrenaline is a natural chemical that increases heart rate and blood pressure during exercise, particularly when you're sweating like a pig (or a whale). This means your body is working overtime to keep up with the need for adrenaline.

When you're in high-stress situations, such as going on a hike or running long distances at a leisurely pace, your adrenal glands will activate and pump adrenaline. They do this by sending hormones to the brain called norepinephrine and epinephrine, which stimulate both your heart and your blood pressure. However, if you're in a situation where your adrenal glands are already overworked (like when you're feeling stressed or anxious), they can become underactive, causing feelings of adrenaline. You might experience "adrenalalgia," or an intense feeling of discomfort or anxiety that seems to last for hours, even after the activity has stopped. In this example: Adrenalalgia is a mental state where people feel like they're having a heart attack and their head feels like a spinning wheel (or their stomach). It's often triggered by stress or anxiety and can be extremely unsettling.