Obesity

Obesity

Obesity /obesity and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) is quite significant and multidimensional, involving metabolism, appetite regulation, fat storage, and stress physiology. Here's a full breakdown of how noradrenaline influences body weight and how being overweight affects noradrenaline signalling in return.

What is Noradrenaline's Role in Weight Regulation?

What is Noradrenaline's Role in Weight Regulation?

So, in a healthy system, noradrenaline supports fat burning, calorie expenditure, and appetite control.

In Overweight/Obese Individuals: What Happens to Noradrenaline?

Sympathetic Nervous System Dysregulation

Low baseline noradrenaline tone: In early-stage obesity, the resting sympathetic activity can be lower, leading to:

• Decreased lipolysis

• Reduced metabolic rate

• Easier fat accumulation

Later-stage obesity often shows chronic SNS overactivation (especially in abdominal obesity), but this becomes ineffective due to:

• Adrenergic receptor resistance

• Chronic inflammation

• Insulin resistance

Think of it like this: the system is revving up the engine, but the brakes are stuck.

Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) & Thermogenesis

Noradrenaline stimulates β3-adrenergic receptors in brown fat, which leads to:

Obese individuals typically have reduced BAT activity or responsiveness → Less calorie burning, more fat storage.

• Heat production

• Energy burning (non-shivering thermogenesis)

Appetite Regulation

Noradrenaline acts on the hypothalamus (particularly the paraventricular nucleus and arcuate nucleus) to reduce food intake.

In obesity:

• Noradrenergic signaling may become blunted or dysregulated

• Appetite suppression is less effective, leading to hyperphagia (excessive eating)

Stress, Cortisol, and Noradrenaline

• Chronic stress → Elevated noradrenaline and cortisol

• High cortisol leads to visceral fat gain and insulin resistance

• Noradrenaline can initially suppress appetite, but long-term stress responses shift toward craving high-calorie foods

Chronic stress → High NE & cortisol → Emotional eating → Weight gain

Obesity is not simply the result of overeating—it's often a complex hormonal imbalance. Four major hormones—Adrenaline, GABA, DHEA, and Cortisol—directly influence how your body stores fat, handles stress, and regulates metabolism. Here's how each of them connects to obesity:

Adrenaline

Adrenaline is your body’s acute stress responder. In short bursts, it increases alertness and energy. But when the body is under chronic stress, constant adrenaline spikes can disrupt appetite control and lead to blood sugar crashes. This triggers overeating, cravings, and eventually fat storage, especially around the abdomen. Over time, it leads to energy burnout and fat gain.

GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)

GABA is a calming neurotransmitter that reduces nervous system overactivity. When GABA levels are low, you may experience emotional instability, anxiety, poor sleep, and emotional eating—all common contributors to weight gain. Without sufficient GABA, the brain seeks comfort, often through food and sugar, leading to a cycle of stress and fat accumulation.

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

DHEA is a protective, anti-aging hormone that supports metabolism, muscle mass, and stress resilience. Low DHEA levels are associated with reduced metabolic function, fat accumulation, fatigue, and poor body composition. In individuals with adrenal fatigue or hormonal disorders, low DHEA can stall fat burning and make weight loss very difficult.

Cortisol

Cortisol, your main stress hormone, plays a key role in fat storage. When cortisol remains chronically elevated, it leads to insulin resistance, muscle breakdown, and stubborn fat gain—especially around the waistline. Cortisol imbalance is one of the most common hormonal reasons behind central obesity and stress-related weight gain.