The past two weeks, we have covered Cortisol and Dopamine. Through them, we have learned that they have a converter in common: Norepinephrine. In this visual aid wrap up, we will review how it works for two major body chemicals. The key to a regulated stress response (Cortisol) and building confidence (good Dopamine) is through norepinephrine.
First things first, let’s start with cortisol, the “boss” of our stress response. Two weeks ago, we learned how cortisol’s two “employees” (converters) determine our “Big T’s” and “small t’s” of trauma. Both are equally valid traumas. Our “small t’s” were just a part of our daily life. They helped us survive by lowering our emotional response from that which we could not escape. “Big T’s” on the other hand were those that happened less often and therefore, give us the emotional context we need when processing our trauma. The long blue spikes represent our Big T’s and the short white triangles represent our small t’s:
How small t’s (Norepinephrine) Spike Adrenaline
I’ve heard from too many trauma survivors concerning this next visual aid, especially those who have gone no contact with their abusive parent. They’ve confided how the mere threat of a reencounter has the power to send them into a panic attack. They don’t understand why they feel more fear in their adult bodies than they did in their helpless child bodies. If this is you too, dear reader, then I hope this explanation helps you understand that this is your body’s natural response.
Norepinephrine helped us endure the daily toil of living with our abuser. Since fight or flight was futile, norepinephrine numbed our emotions to help us survive. However, once we leave the abusive home, and as we put more distance between ourselves and the abuser, our norepinephrine levels start to lower. Our system feels safe once it’s free from the coping and enduring strategies that were once a part of our daily lives. The amount of distance (up to no contact) we achieve between ourselves and our abuser is directly proportionate to what happens when we reencounter them.
Dopamine and Cortisol’s Joint Custody
Norepinephrine has two “bosses” or parents who live in separate houses. Whichever analogy we use, never forget the golden rules for the three body chemicals:
- Norepinephrine is a stress hormone, so it belongs to cortisol first.
- Cortisol has no problem sharing its converter with dopamine, as long as the stress response stays regulated.
- Dopamine must keep norepinephrine content and motivated, or else cortisol will take over.
The following visual aid shows how we can build good dopamine. Good dopamine is how we build confidence and self-esteem. What’s in green are the benefits of using both of dopamine’s converters. When we take the time to relax, reflect, and celebrate our little wins, norepinephrine is fully capable of getting dopamine whatever it wants. This automatically satisfies cortisol, because a content norepinephrine means a regulated stress response.
Incentives and Rewards
Dopamine is the chief influencer of our happy hormones. That’s why celebrating our progress and our little wins while we’re chasing the big ones is so important. Our confidence and self-esteem build a strong foundation for innovation.
- Endorphins are the joy hormones. When endorphins release, norepinephrine stays motivated and inspired.
- Serotonin is the mood stabilizer. When we give ourselves permission to take a break and relax, we recharge our energy for a better day.
- Oxytocin is our social memory. Taking the time to digest positive feedback from others is key to self-esteem.
- Dopamine develops our habits based on what works to get what we want.
- Cortisol needs a solid sense of security to act as an “anchor” while we’re chasing our dreams. Otherwise, our stress response will be dysregulated and we won’t notice, much less remember the positive experiences we’ve been creating. However, when we take the time to reflect and affirm ourselves, we create better habits that lower stress and improve our sense of security.
Norepinephrine is endurance and focused attention. It’s a thinking hormone that helped us endure our adverse home when there were no incentives or rewards, just surviving day to day. In adult bodies, that same hormone can help us achieve because we are free to supply it with incentives and rewards. Appreciating our positives go a long way in doing this. It’s all in what we notice and what deserves our full attention.