The Urinary Output of Adrenalin and Noradrenalin During Pleasant and Unpleasant Emotional States

A positive correlation exists between the intensity of emotional arousal, whatever its quality, and the urinary excretion of adrenalin and possibly of noradrenalin.

Abstract

In a strictly standardized experimental setting, 20 healthy female office clerks were shown 4 entirely different types of motion pictures on 4 consecutive days. Bland natural-scenery films lowered the urinary catecholamines significantly. An aggression-provoking film and an amusing one were accompanied by similar and significant increases in adrenalin excretion and similar adrenalin/noradrenalin ratios. Obviously, emotional responses rated by the subjects as pleasant may also evoke increased sympathetico-adrenomedullary activity. An anxiety-provoking film raised the excretion levels not only of adrenalin, but also of noradrenalin, significantly above the levels obtained in all 3 previous films. A positive correlation exists between the intensity of emotional arousal, whatever its quality, and the urinary excretion of adrenalin and possibly of noradrenalin.