Maria GosulaGina Kuang

Rosalita MaldonadoQi Zhang

COGS 175 5.31.06

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

Introduction - Gina

Physiology- Qi

Psychology - Maria

Conclusion - Rosy

What is an Adrenaline Junkie?What is an Adrenaline Junkie? Someone who is looking

for the feeling of a rush

‘Type-A’ personalities that are addicted to the stimulation and arousal of adrenaline

Stress-induced adrenaline high

Types of Adrenaline AddictionTypes of Adrenaline AddictionStress as an adrenaline

addiction– Used to repress

conscious that comes from feelings of loss, abandonment

Intense high– “rush” from high risk

activities

Adrenaline Addict TypesAdrenaline Addict Types

The Accomplisher

The Personal Deflector

The Organizational Deflector

The Dramatist

Adrenaline Rush ActivitiesAdrenaline Rush Activities

Skydiving

Surfing

Kayaking

Bungee Jumping

Rock Climbing

Hang Gliding

Gambling

Arguing

ER Doctors

Alternate State of Alternate State of ConsciousnessConsciousness

“Rush”

Causes desired physiological and psychological effects

Anger, fear, guilt, worry produce adrenaline hormone

CrashCrash

Coming down from a rush phase…– crave for another rush

If unable to participate, experience feelings of depression

PhysiologyPhysiology

What is Adrenaline (CWhat is Adrenaline (C99HH1313NONO33) ?) ?

Catecholamine– belongs to the family of biogenic amines

A hormone and a neurotransmitter

Enzymes responsible for fast degradation of Adrenaline

1. Catecholamine-O-methyltransferase (COMT)

2. Monoaminoxidase (MAO)

Adrenaline as an Internal DrugAdrenaline as an Internal Drug Effects of the Adrenal GlandEffects of the Adrenal Gland

Hyperarousal

Increased blood flow

Heightened pulse rate

Increased physical performance

Brain During StressBrain During StressSubcortical Fight or Flight AreasSubcortical Fight or Flight Areas

Subcortical Fight or Flight areas includes thalamus, hippocampus, brainstem, and hypothalamus

Mobilize body for action

Bypass frontal executive functioning and trigger stress response

Adrenaline and AddictionAdrenaline and AddictionAdrenaline rush followed by release of

endorphinsLeads to increase in endorphin receptor

sites via synaptic plasticity

Extreme risk takers tend to have 1/3 less MAO than average person

Mechanism for chemical addiction?

Psychology and ReportsPsychology and Reports

Parachuting or SkydivingParachuting or Skydiving 200 years

– WWI & WWII

Definition– Breaking free from a free-fall from a height using

a parachute

Types– Blade running, Canopy piloting, Skysurfing

Skills– Basic safety, free fall maneuvers, parachute

operation, and landing

SafetySafety Statistics Risk Factors

– Inexperience– Misuse of equipment– Hundred Jump Wonders

100-500 jumps Most dangerous period

– Changing wind conditions– Equipment failure

Rare cause of injury and fatalities

ReportsReportsLeonardo DaVinci

– “When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

Shelley’s “amazing experience”– “I was falling at 120mph screaming with excitement all the way, it was

thrilling and very noisy! Once my instructor deployed the parachute it was like the whole world had gone quiet. We were able to float and twist using the parachute, it felt so calm and surreal.”

– After landing: "It’s just such a rush. Definitely the most exhilarating experience I’ve ever had. Just talking about it makes me want to do it again. I’d say to anyone who has ever wanted to do it, sign up, you won't regret.”

Skydiving and AddictionSkydiving and Addiction

The “Rush”Diagnosis

– Hard to draw precise lineSkydiving:

– sport or same as drug addiction? Drug addiction definition “Anhedonia” study among skydivers

(Franken, Zijlstra, Muris, 2005)

TreatmentsTreatments

Why seek treatment?Adrenaline Addicts Anonymous

– 12 Steps

ConclusionConclusion

A True Addiction?A True Addiction?

Key elements of addiction present in adrenaline junkies’ behaviors

– ASC causes desirable physiological and psychological effects

– Altered state disappears, leads to “crash” Disappointment and depression

– Crash phase craving for another rush

Individual DifferencesIndividual Differences

Hooked on an adrenaline rushSeeking for the “rush”

– Different activities

Levels of AddictionLevels of AddictionLess to more severe

Intensity may progress with time

No formal diagnosis

Drawing the line– Risky behaviors– Social and occupational dysfunction

Society benefits from this ASC

ASC’s and Adrenaline JunkiesASC’s and Adrenaline Junkies

Adrenaline rush one of many ASC’s Motivated to seek new experiences

– Global change in one’s consciousness– Experience bigger than self

Adrenaline Junkies appeal– Cheating death

ReferencesReferences Sanchez, X., Journal of Sports Sciences 23.2 (Feb.2005) 164-165 Meadows, L. Adrenaline Addicts Anonymous, Reno, NV, 1995 Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biology Psychiatry 30 (2006) 297-300 Schedlowski M et al. Psychophysiological, neuroendocrine and cellular immune

reactions under psychological stress. Neuopsychobiology. 1993;28(1-2):87-90. J. Clin Immunol. Mar 1993; 13(2):119:29

Wong, DL., Epinephrine Biosynthesis: Hormonal and Neural Control During Stress. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2006 Apr 28;

Meyer G, Schwertfeger J, Exton MS, Janssen OE, Knapp W, Stadler MA, Schedlowski M, Kruger TH., Neuroendocrine response to casino gambling in problem gamblers. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004 Nov;29(10):1272-80.

Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients –August/September 2005 Ontario Science Centre, www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/imax Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skydiving, 2006 Adrenaline Addiction Info & Articles, Reno, NV,

http://www.adrenalineaddicts.org/articles.php, 2003 Answers.com, http://www.answers.com/topic/adrenaline-junkie