What Are the Adrenal Glands | UCLA Endocrine Center?

The adrenal glands are little helpers inside your body that help you deal with stress and energy.

Imagine you're playing on a swing set, and suddenly a friend comes running to join you, you need more energy to keep swinging high. That's when the adrenal glands kick in! They sit on top of your kidneys, like tiny chefs cooking up special meals called hormones.

When you're excited or scared, maybe you’re about to go on a roller coaster, the adrenal glands release a hormone called adrenaline. This is like getting a big energy drink that helps you run faster or jump higher.

Sometimes, your body needs extra help staying strong and healthy. That's when another part of the adrenal gland makes cortisol, which is like a helper that keeps your body going even during long days at school or tough tests.

Think of the adrenal glands as the body’s little helpers, always ready to give you energy when you need it most!