Sympathetic Nervous System
Synopsis of Sympathetic Nervous System
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is one half of the autonomic nervous system, which governs involuntary bodily functions. In contrast to the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest), the sympathetic system prepares the body for action, stress, or perceived danger—a response often referred to as “fight or flight.”
Originating from the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord (T1–L2), sympathetic nerves travel through sympathetic ganglia to reach various organs. These nerves release norepinephrine (noradrenaline) at target sites, triggering widespread physiological changes designed to increase alertness, energy availability, and survival readiness.
Key actions include:
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Increased heart rate and blood pressure
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Dilation of pupils and airways
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Decreased digestive activity and urine output
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Increased glucose release from the liver
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Activation of sweat glands
The SNS helps respond to emergencies but also activates in daily stress, intense exercise, or high-performance situations.
While short-term activation is protective, chronic overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system—due to ongoing stress, poor sleep, or trauma—can lead to dysfunction, including:
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Hypertension (high blood pressure)
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Anxiety, panic disorders, or insomnia
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Digestive issues (due to suppressed parasympathetic activity)
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Adrenal fatigue or HPA axis dysfunction
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Heart disease and metabolic imbalances
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Sympathetic overdrive: Tight muscles, shallow breathing, palpitations
The balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems is essential for maintaining homeostasis, mental clarity, and physical health.
Natural remedies to support Sympathetic Nervous System
Deep breathing and meditation: Activate the parasympathetic nervous system and downregulate sympathetic tone.
Adaptogens (e.g., ashwagandha, rhodiola): Help buffer stress and modulate adrenal output.
Magnesium and B vitamins: Support nerve signaling and reduce excitatory overactivity.
Omega-3s and antioxidants: Protect neurons from stress-induced damage.
Cold exposure or vagal nerve stimulation: Help reset autonomic tone.
Consistent sleep and light exposure: Normalize cortisol and catecholamine cycles.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Sympathetic Nervous System.
acetyl l-carnitine
adrenal cortex
amino acids
ashwagandha
aspartic acid
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-alanine
bifidobacterium longum
biotin
black pepper
branched-chain amino acids
bасора
caffeine
calamari oil
California poppy
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
cherry
choline
chrysin
citicoline
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coffee fruit
cowage seed
creatine monohydrate
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
eleuthero
fava bean
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gardenia
ginkgo biloba
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
guarana
guayusa
huperzine A
inositol
iodine
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-asparagine
l-glycine
l-histidine
l-methionine
l-serine
l-phenylalanine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
l-valine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus helveticus
lavender
licorice root
lion's mane
lithium orotate
magnesium
magnolia
malic acid
manganese
melatonin
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
passionflower
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pollen
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
sceletium
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B
vitamin C
whole adrenal glandular
zinc
jiaogulan
gastrodia
cardamom
bee pollen
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
lemongrass
kanna
chrysanthemum
haliotis
amber
dioscorea
lotus seed
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
dimethylethanolamine (DMEA)
biota seed
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
yohimbe
cocoa
cayenne pepper
1,3-DMAA
1,3-DMAA
DMPX
11-hydroxy yohimbine
1,4-Dimethylpentylamine
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Ashwagandha
African Snakeroot
Adrenals
Adrenal
Alpha glyceryl
Alkaloid (unspecified)
Agmatine
Adrafinil
Acetyl L-Tyrosine
Adrenergic amines
Agmatine sulfate
Adrenaline
Alkaloids
Adrenals
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Aminobutyric acid (unspecified)
alkaloid
Aniracetam
Adrenal extract
Alpha-GPC
Acetyl-L-Carnitine-L-Arginine
Belladonna
Beta methoxyphenethylamine
Brain
Basidiomycota
Barbed Skullcap
Brahmi
Bacopa (unspecified)
Bacopa
Beta Methylphenethylalamine
Brain
Beta-Methylphenylethylamine
bacoside
Bacopasides
Bacopasaponin (unspecified)
Coffee
Cannabis
Caffeine pterostilbene
Cortisol
Calories
Cannabinoids
Catecholamine
Caffeine alpha-ketoglutarate
Cytisine
California Poppy
Citicholine
Cacao
Capitate Valerian
Caffeine
Coffee (mixed)
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Carbohydrate
Citicoline
cola nut
Dimethylamylamine
Diethyl phenethylamine
Dimethylhexylamine (DMHA)
Dimethylpentylamine
Dimethylphenethylamine
DHA-conjugated phosphatidylserine
DL-phenylalanine
Doxylamine succinate
Dimethyl phenethylamine
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Ephedra
Eria
Exphedrine HCl
Eleuthero Root
Eleuthero
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Eria jarensis
Ephedrine
Fungus (unspecified)
Genseng (not specified)
Ginseng, Oriental
Gastrodia
Ginsenosides
Ginseng, Siberian
Ginsenosides (unspecified)
glucose
Ginseng
Ginkgolides
GABA
Ginseng, American
Guaranine
Guayusa
Guarana
Ginsenoside
Ginseng, Panax
Gastrodin
Ginsenosides
Henbane
Higenamine
Honokiol
Hypothalamus
Halostachine
Huperzine-A
Holy Basil
Huperzine
Hypothalamus protein
Hordenine
Indian snakeroot
Isopropylnorsynephrine
Isopropyloctopamine
Jimson weed
Jatamansi
Kavalactone
Kavalactones
Kola Nut
Kava kava
L-Tyrosine
Lavender
L-DOPA
Lavandula (unspecified)
L-Phenylalanine
Methylhexaneamine
Medulla
Myelin sheath
Melatonin
Magnesiium
Muira Puama
Methylxanthine (unspecified)
Methylliberine
Magnolia
Magnesium
Mushroom (unspecified)
Methylphenethylamine
Methylsynephrine
Ma Huang
Mulungu
Mexican valerian
Mesembrine
Magnesium
Methylhexanamine
N-Acetyl-Tyrosine
N-Acetyl Tyrosine
Nitrous Oxide
Nicotine
Norepinephrine
N-Methyltyramine
N-methyl Tyramine
Octodrine
Oxedrine
Oxyephedrine
Oriental Ginseng
Octopamine
phenylpiracetam
Paraxanthine
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Passiflora (unspecified)
Phosphatidylserine
phenethylamine (PEA)
Passionflower
phosphatidyl inositol
Phenethylamine
Phosphatidylserine complex
Phenibut
Phytocannabinoid (unspecified)
Poly-thyronine
Rosavins
Rhodola crenulata
Rosabin
Rosavins (mixed)
Rauvolfia canescens
Rhodiola (unspecified)
Rauvolfia (unspecified)
Rauvolfia yunnanensis
Rhodiola sacra
Reginin A
Rosarin
Rosavin
Rhodiola
Rosevin
Rauwolscine
Rhodiola crenulata
Robusta Coffee
Rauvolfia vomitoria
Sceletium
Synephrine
Salidroside
salt
Salidrosides
Shankhpushpi
salt (unspecified)
Tyramine
Tribulin
Thyroid
Thyroid
Theanine
Tyrosine alpha ketoglutarate
Tyrosine alpha-ketoglutaric acid
Tyrosine
Theacrine
Teacrine
Toothed Clubmoss
Theanine
Thiamin
Tagara
Tetrahydropalmatine
Tyrosine alpha-ketoglutarate
Uncaria rhynchophylla
Valerenic acid
Vincamine
Vitamin B1 (Prosultiamine)
Valerian
Vitamin B
Vitamin B1 (thiamine pyrophosphate)
Withanolides
Withanolide
Xanthine
yohimbine
Yohimbe
Yohimbines (unspecified)