Fear is a feeling that is familiar to a person from birth. To a greater or lesser extent, each of us experiences a feeling of fear almost daily. But why do we experience such an emotion, what is the mechanism for the emergence of such a state? It turns out that the cause of the formation of this feeling is the hormone of fear. Read more about the physiology of the occurrence of such an emotion in our material.
What is fear?
Fear is an internal state of a person, which is provoked by some kind of danger, and is associated with the occurrence of negative emotional experiences. Such a feeling at the level of instincts also occurs in animals, manifesting itself in the form of defensive reactions. In general, in humans, the mechanism for the formation of this emotion is identical: when a danger occurs, all possible resources of the body are activated to overcome the threat that has arisen.
For example, we close our eyes without thinking, increase the distance from the source that causes fear, etc. In somesituations, people do run away, hide from the danger that has arisen. Despite the fact that the mechanism of the formation of fear in different people is the same, the responses to the stimulus are directly opposite. So, if the body of one person, when a threat arises, activates thought processes, trying to find a way out of the current situation, then the other, on the contrary, falls into a stupor. In any case, the body's reaction to fear occurs due to the release of a certain substance into the blood. We will discuss which hormone is responsible for fear below.
Fear as a self-preservation instinct
Both in animals and in humans, the reaction to the emerging danger is laid down at the genetic level and is more instinctive. So, studies have noted that even a newborn child feels various fears. Then, under the influence of social experience, the emotion takes on other forms and manifestations, but nevertheless, the reaction to a dangerous stimulus remains at the level of instinct.
The study of the physiology of fear is devoted to a large number of scientific and literary works. Despite this, there are still many topical issues related to the mechanism of the formation of a protective reaction. It is well known that the symptoms of fear are caused by hormones produced by the adrenal glands, namely adrenaline and cortisol. But why the same substances contribute to the formation of directly opposite reactions (namely, excitation and inhibition) in people to the same stimulus - still remains a mystery.
Mechanismeducation
What happens in the body when danger occurs? First, signals are sent from the sense organs to the cerebral cortex about the detection of a situation that poses a threat to human security. Then the body begins to produce the so-called fear hormone - adrenaline. In turn, this substance activates the production of cortisol - it is he who causes symptoms characteristic of the external manifestation of fear.
Experimental studies have shown that during a period when a person experiences a strong fright, cortisol in the blood increases significantly. As a result, characteristic external manifestations of such a negative emotional state arise.
Classification
Multiple studies have proven that fear can be caused by various reasons. Depending on this, it is customary to classify such an emotion into the following types:
- Biological has primeval roots. It represents the survival instinct. This reaction is characteristic not only of animals, but also of people. In the face of a clear danger to life at the level of instinct, the "hormone of fear" begins to be produced, which allows the body to instantly activate all available resources to combat the threat.
- Social fears are those acquired as a result of accumulated life experience. For example, fear of public speaking or medical manipulation. This type of reaction can be corrected - in the process of reflection, logical thinking, it is possible to overcome such fears.
Symptoms
Adrenaline in the blood causes a number of conditions characteristic of a feeling of fear. So, this substance helps to increase blood pressure and dilate blood vessels - thereby improving the oxygen exchange of internal organs. In turn, increased nutrition of the brain tissue helps, as they say, to refresh thoughts, direct forces to find the necessary solution to overcome the current emergency situation. That is why, when a person is very scared, in the first seconds his body tries to assess the threat as accurately as possible, activating all possible resources. In particular, dilation of the pupils occurs to increase vision, and the tension of the main motor muscles occurs for maximum acceleration in the event of a need to escape.
Stress hormone - cortisol
The mechanism of the formation of fear does not end there. Adrenaline increases blood cortisol, or the stress hormone. An increase in the levels of this substance leads to the following symptoms:
- palpitations;
- sweating;
- dry mouth;
- rapid shallow breathing.
When they say "hair stood on end", they mean that it was very scary. Does this really happen when a person is afraid of something? Indeed, science knows individual cases of such a reaction during danger - at the roots, the hair rises slightly due to the effects of hormones. The researchers suggested that such a reaction is a reflex - for example, birds fluff their feathers, and some mammalsrelease spikes when there is a danger to life. But if such actions can really save the life of animals, then in humans such a reaction is only a primitive instinct for self-preservation.
Types of manifestation of fear
Fear research has proven that there are two types of human response to danger:
- active;
- passive.
So, in the first case, the body instantly activates all the defenses. In this state, the possibilities increase significantly. Many cases have been noted when, in a state of fear, a person did things that were unusual for him: he jumped over a high barrier, carried heavy loads, covered long distances in a short time, etc. In addition, attempts to repeat this in a calm state led to failures. Such possibilities are explained by the fact that at the moment of fright, adrenaline is produced in large quantities in the human body. It is this substance that activates protective functions in a short time, allowing you to use all available resources to overcome the threat.
A passive reaction occurs when a person unconsciously tries to hide from the danger that has arisen. This is manifested in fading (most animals and birds behave the same way when a threat to life approaches), covering the eyes and mouth with the palms. Children often hide under a blanket or bed. It is known that such reactions are also caused by the fact that the hormone of fear is secreted by the adrenal cortex. But that's why some people take active steps to eliminate the danger,while others passively wait out the threat, still remains a mystery to researchers of this problem. There are suggestions that this is due to the social experience of a person and his individual psychological and physiological characteristics.
Consequences
Is fear dangerous? Doctors answer this question unequivocally - such an emotion brings serious and drastic changes in the body, which cannot but affect he alth. A strong fright can cause blood flow disorders, brain hypoxia, a significant increase in blood pressure with all the attendant consequences. In severe cases, blockage of blood vessels and, as a result, a heart attack is possible.
Fans of extreme entertainment are sure that adrenaline in the blood increases vitality and improves he alth. Indeed, this substance causes a tonic effect in the body, and the sensations that a person experiences during a fright are often compared to euphoria. Despite this, doctors say that the frequent release of the hormone of fear reduces the strength of the body. Regular increase in pressure leads to a heavy load on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of various diseases: from rosacea to disruption of the internal organs.
Can fear be cured?
A person's fears do not always have a physiological cause - the problem can also have psychological roots. The hormone of fear can be produced by the body even in the absence of a clear threat to life. For example,public speaking, a dark room, or a harmless insect is unlikely to be a real danger. Nevertheless, almost every one of us is afraid of something absolutely unreasonably. Moreover, this is manifested not only in thoughts, but also in physiological changes. So, in people suffering from various phobias, adrenaline is produced in the blood, and symptoms characteristic of fear appear. Such conditions, of course, require the help of specialists. In addition to psychological support, if necessary, the doctor will prescribe sedatives or homeopathic medicines.
We told which hormone is produced during fear, explained the mechanism of formation of such an emotion in a person. It can be noted that in most cases such a defensive reaction saves a person from real danger. But unfounded fears can lead to serious he alth problems.
