What hormone is produced by the body to dilate respiratory passages and is used for severe allergic reactions?

The hormone that is produced by the body to dilate respiratory passages and is particularly important during severe allergic reactions is epinephrine. This hormone, often referred to as adrenaline, plays a critical role in the body's fight-or-flight response. When an individual experiences an anaphylactic reaction, the airways can become constricted, leading to difficulty breathing. Epinephrine works to counteract this by relaxing the muscles in the airways, thereby facilitating easier breathing.

In addition to its role in respiratory function, epinephrine also helps to increase heart rate and blood flow, which are vital during an allergic reaction, as the body is under stress. It is commonly administered in emergency situations through an auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, to provide rapid relief from the symptoms associated with severe allergic reactions.

The other hormones mentioned have different primary functions. For example, insulin is involved in glucose metabolism, cortisol plays a role in stress response and metabolism, and while adrenaline is another name for epinephrine, the context of the question specifically points to epinephrine as the primary term related to respiratory dilation and allergic reactions.