Fear is instilled in all of us, but in vastly different ways at vastly different times. There’s no one universal phobia, but let’s explore the science of scares.
* First, the process. Like most reactions, fear starts in the brain. Your “amygdala” is sort of behind your eyes and between your ears, and that little almond-shaped bit is a key emotional processor. That includes picking up on other’s emotions and linking them to different memories and senses, including fear.
* Historically, humans have needed fear to survive or avoid danger altogether. Some innate fears and anxieties can be genetic, but the situation still matters more.
* Let’s say like your ancestors, you encounter a predator in the wild. Your amygdala immediately gets to work, signaling your hypothalamus to pump out the stress hormones like adrenaline, to your hippocampus to get that “fight or flight” response, and even your pre-frontal cortex to compare this situation to ones in the past. Your heart rate goes up, your pupils dilate, and even the non-essentials in the moment like your digestive system slow down to conserve energy for whatever comes next. The amygdala works so quickly that being startled by a loud sound can make you flinch before the rest of your brain catches up.
* That quick work can very well save your life, or embarrass you in front of your friends if you misinterpret the threat. That’s where your other brain parts can help. Context clues can inhibit that fear response to reassure you that everything’s okay, or that your emotions are very valid in the moment.
* Many people seek out a healthy dose of both at the same time. Haunted houses, horror movies, and even roller coasters provide safer controlled ways to get those hormones pumping and not just adrenaline. Dopamine is also released in scary scenarios, and many try to chase that natural high, flipping fears to thrills.
* We wouldn’t have enough time in the world to list all the phobias out there, though some of the top fears include heights, flying, spiders and clowns. (So as long we don’t see flying spider clowns, we’re good, right? Have fun dwelling on that one in bed tonight.)
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