Anxiety and Performance Changes with Minimal Dose of Epinephrine

Abstract

Several investigators have demon-strated that an elevation in the level of circulating epinephrine accompanies psychological stress response and is associated with strong affective arousal.* It has also been commonly noted that a frequent consequence of epinephrine administered to man is anxiety and its physical accompaniments.4 Nevertheless, despite these suggestions of an intimate connection between epinephrine action and human anxiety, surprisingly few studies have sought to develop the relationship further. Particularly neglected has been

Chronic chlorpromazine administration: Some pharmacological and psychological effects in man

“…The infusion of epinephrine increased the behavioral manifestations reflected in the items of the ARS. These findings agree with those of Pollin and Goldin 43 and Basowitz 4 who found increased somatic concern, apprehension, and subjective feelings of anxiety during infusions of epinephrine. We would agree with most workers who hesitate to claim that epinephrine produces real "anxiety" and we are satisfied to report changes seen on this scale.…”

The Peripheral and Central Role of the Catecholamines in the Mechanisms of Anxiety

“…In the former approach, adrenaline or compounds with similar effects such as lactate are injected and both physiological and psychological observations are made (Breggin, 1964;Pitts and McClure, 1967). For example, Basowitz et al (1956) interviewed 12 normal subjects to ascertain their previous reactions to stress such as palpitations, apprehensiveness, tremor and perspiration. Using double-blind procedures and a cross-over design, adrenaline was infused intra venously in a dosage of 5 Mg/kg body weight/h and its effects compared with those of saline.…”

Roles of activation and inhibition in sex differences in cognitive abilities.

“…Finally, epinephrine administered intravenously impaired the ability of normal humans to write slowly (Basowitz, Korchin, Oken, Goldstein, & Gussack, 1956).…”