Adrenaline

by Brian B. Hoffman

Inducing highs of excitement, anger, and terror, adrenaline fuels the extremes of human experience. A rush empowers superhuman feats in emergencies. Risk-taking junkies seek to replicate this feeling in dangerous recreations. And a surge may literally scare us to death. Adrenaline brings us up to speed on the fascinating molecule that drives some of our most potent experiences.

Adrenaline was discovered in 1894 and quickly made its way out of the lab into clinics around the world. In this engrossing account, Brian Hoffman examines adrenaline in all its capacities, from a vital regulator of physiological functions to the subject of Nobel Prize–winning breakthroughs. Because its biochemical pathways are prototypical, adrenaline has had widespread application in hormone research leading to the development of powerful new drugs. Hoffman introduces the scientists to whom we owe our understanding, tracing the paths of their discoveries and aspirations and allowing us to appreciate the crucial role adrenaline has played in pushing modern medicine forward.

Hoffman also investigates the vivid, at times lurid, place adrenaline occupies in the popular imagination, where accounts of its life-giving and lethal properties often leave the realm of fact. Famous as the catalyst of the “fight or flight” response, adrenaline has also received forensic attention as a perfect poison, untraceable in the bloodstream―and rumors persist of its power to revive the dead. True to the spirit of its topic, Adrenaline is a stimulating journey that reveals the truth behind adrenaline’s scientific importance and enduring popular appeal.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2013

Reviews

[Andrew Brisbane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think everyone should read a like minded book such as Adrenaline. I found myself researching while reading to understand some chapters. I have my own opinions but I think the author did the best he could do with out spelling it out all the way. Worth a read. However I did get a slight adrenaline rush in some parts of the book! 👍🏼👍👍🏿

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a frickin cool read!

This little gem of a book is a multi faceted examination of the discovery, synthesis and pharmacological action of the hormone largely responsible for the antics of those fun loving rascals in point break.

The biochemistry is a little technical, but not too bad. I understood enough of it to thoroughly enjoy the read and I'm not formally trained in any kind of biology or chemistry.

One of the surprisingly fun and interesting aspects of the book is it's detailed history of nearly every Nobel prize awarded to adrenaline research. Spoiler alert: there have been a crap load of them.

Another fun section of the book explores the use of adrenaline as idiom and metaphor in popular culture (particularly in sports journalism). One notable omission being the 1980's southern California hardcore punk band Adrenaline Over Dose (AOD).

I wish the author would pen similar treatments of some of my other fave neurohumors e.g. serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, etc. (no I'm not a drug addict in case your wondering, I'm just a regular guy with a big curiosity about how the brain makes all that consciousness stuff happen).

This book definitely belongs on the shelf next to Robert Sapolsky's unfortunately titled, but none the less classic book on cortisol, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. And Brain Trust, Patricia Churchland's exploration of oxytocin and it's role in the evolution of human morality.

In closing. This book is a lot more fun than a book about a hormone probably aught to be. I loved it and I recommend it heartily.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book up at library, and was full of knowledge, I had no idea existed! It was technical and intense, It would have to be re-read by myself to retain the knowledge that this book so cleverly teaches.

I chose to read it as my son is an adrenaline junkie, it gave me a better perspective on why he is a Rocky mountain climber, back-country skier, and mountain bikes down the Rockies steep ledges.
I understand more clearly what the brain and thyroid have to do with how the body reacts to stress. My suggestion is to everyone who can, read this book and it could explain a lot of things about ADRENALINE,,, great book!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a biology major who took a graduate course in endocrinology, I always find this topic interesting. However, this book is written more like a thesis or research paper, with 50 pages of footnotes at the end, than a typical non fiction book for the general public. Definitely not reader friendly but interesting if you have some background in cell biology, biochemistry and/or endocrinology.

[Robert Melnyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I enjoyed it, but I think if I understood the chemistry and biology more it would have been even better. My wife, the Bio major, will really enjoy this one :-). But definitely worth the read if you are a science kind of person.

[H R Koelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting anecdotes and history about the discovery and study of adrenaline, but far too technical for the layperson. A firm grasp of chemistry, or a solid science background, is needed to appreciate much of this book.

[Dr.Ray Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non scientists may be interested in reading the fascinating footnotes ! The glossary will help if you get confused . The Further Reading list should be of interest to any explorer.