Beta-adrenoreceptor blockade attenuated arousal-induced anterograde amnesia. Beta-adrenoreceptor blockade attenuated arousal-enhanced memory selectivity. Salivary alpha-amylase change was correlated with arousal’s retrograde memory effects. This sAA-memory relationship occurred across both the drug and placebo groups. Different noradrenergic mechanisms promote arousal’s bidirectional effects on memory.