Stress: Fight or Flight Response

When you perceive a threat you activate the stress response also known as the fight or flight response this response to stress cannot tell the difference between real and perceived threat.

Now let's explore a little deeper and see how this response gets activated in your body.

Limbic System is primarily our emotional center of functioning. Within this system is the amygdale. The amygdala in your brain is involved with emotional processing and is constantly monitoring for danger. It activates the fight/flight response in the primitive brain by sending signals to the hypothalamus (also known as the command center of the stress response)

The hypothalamus then communicates to the rest of the body via the autonomic nervous system

The autonomic nervous system is composed of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Think of them as the on/off switch of the stress response.

When the hypothalamus sends out a distress signal activating the sympathetic system which activates the adrenal glands. These glands respond by pumping out stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline.

Under stress the primitive/reptilian brain and the Limbic System take over and the pre/frontal cortex is shutdown. The area of the brain that controls ones capability of complex reasoning, problem solving, creativity and change.

It is only when the level of cortisol hormones decreases that the parasympathetic system, which is the off switch/brake to the stress response becomes activated and you are able to tap into the pre frontal/frontal cortex.

Note when your primitive brain is activated you do not have access to higher level thinking as your body is in survival mode. Therefore, when under stress you might find it difficult to remember things, problem solve and perform any other capability that would require you to access the prefrontal/frontal cortex of the brain.

These hormones brings about a few physiological changes such as your heartbeat increasing, as well as your pulse rate and blood pressure. You may find yourself breathing more rapidly. Your senses become sharper.