Adrenaline increases heart, breathing and metabolic rate. Adrenaline also mobilises glycogen energy stores from the liver to increase blood glucose. Scientists are researching how adrenaline actually increases the heart rate. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concludes that if cells respond correctly to adrenaline (a.k.a epinephrine), doctors could administer epinephrine to a patient whose heart is about to stop.

Exposing yourself to unknown risks is as much of an adrenaline rush as indulging in extreme sports like speedbiking, bungee jumping and parasailing. You don’t have to exactly jump out of an aeroplane every time you want an ‘adrenaline rush’. Just get out of your comfort zone where your life is routine and orderly and do something unexplored and unknown — even an hour of such ‘randomness’ is said to be good for the soul.