Hormone of fear. Adrenaline in the blood. Physiology of fear

Fear is a feeling that has been familiar to a person since birth. To a greater or lesser extent, the fright is felt by each of us almost daily. But why do we experience such an emotion, what is the mechanism for the appearance of such a state? It turns out that the cause of the formation of this feeling is the hormone of fear. More details about the physiology of the emergence of such an emotion - in our material.

What is fear?

Fear is the internal state of a person, which is provoked by some kind of danger, and associated with the emergence of negative emotional experiences. Such a feeling at the level of instincts arises in animals, manifesting itself in the form of protective reactions. In general, a person's mechanism of forming this emotion is identical: when a danger arises, all possible resources of the organism are activated to overcome the threat that has arisen.

For example, we close our eyes without hesitation, increase the distance from the source that causes fear, etc. In some situations, people flee altogether and hide from the arising danger. Despite the fact that the mechanism of the formation of fear in different people is the same, the response to the stimulus is noted directly opposite. So, if the organism of one person in the event of a threat activates thought processes, trying to find a way out of the situation, then the other, on the contrary, falls into a stupor. In any case, the reaction of the body to fright is due to the release of a certain substance into the blood. About what hormone is responsible for the fear, we will tell below.

Fear as an instinct of self-preservation

Both in the animal and in humans, the reaction to the emerging danger is based on the genetic level and is more instinctive. So, studies have noted that even a newborn baby feels different fears. Then, under the influence of social experience, emotion takes on different forms and manifestations, but nevertheless the reaction to the dangerous stimulus remains at the level of instinct.

A large number of scientific and literary works have been devoted to the study of the physiology of fear. Despite this, there are still many relevant issues related to the mechanism for 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 that's why the same substances contribute to the formation of directly opposite reactions (namely, excitation and inhibition) in people for the same stimulus - still remains a mystery.

The mechanism of education

What happens in the body when there is a danger? First, signals from the sense organs are sent to the cerebral cortex to detect a situation that poses a threat to human safety. Then the body begins to produce the so-called hormone of fear - adrenaline. In turn, this substance activates the production of cortisol - it causes symptoms that are characteristic of the external manifestation of fear.

The carried out experimental researches have proved, that during the period when the person experiences strong fright, the cortisol in blood considerably increases. As a consequence, there are characteristic external manifestations of such a negative emotional state.

Classification

Numerous studies have shown that fear can be caused by various causes. Depending on this, it is customary to classify such an emotion into the following types:

1. Biological has primordial roots. It is an instinct of survival. Such a reaction is characteristic not only of animals, but also of humans. In the face of a clear danger to life at the level of instinct, the "hormone of fear" begins to develop, which allows the body to instantaneously activate all available resources to combat the threat.
2. The fears acquired as a result of the accumulated life experiences are included in the social. For example, fear of public speaking or medical manipulation. This kind of reaction is amenable to adjustment - in the process of comprehension, logical thinking, it is possible to overcome such fears.

Symptoms

Adrenaline in the blood causes a number of characteristic feelings of fear of states. So, this substance helps to increase blood pressure and vasodilation - thereby improving the oxygen exchange of internal organs. In turn, increased nutrition of brain tissue helps, what is called, to refresh thoughts, to direct forces to find the necessary solution to overcome the current emergency situation. That's why when a person is very scared, in the first seconds his body tries to estimate the threat as accurately as possible, activating all possible resources. In particular, the dilatation of the pupils takes place to increase the vision, and the tension of the basic motor muscles arises for maximum acceleration when flight is necessary.

The stress hormone cortisol

This mechanism does not complete the formation of fear. Under the influence of adrenaline rises in cortisol in the blood, or the stress hormone. An increase in the indices of this substance lead to the following symptoms:

• cardiopalmus;
• Sweating;
• Dryness in the oral cavity;
• Frequent shallow breathing.

When they say "the hair stood on end," they mean that it was very scary. Does it really happen when a person is afraid of anything? Indeed, science knows of individual cases of manifestation of such a reaction during the danger - at the roots hair is slightly raised due to the action of hormones. Researchers suggested that such a reaction is reflex - so, birds fluff feathers, and some mammals release thorns in the event of danger to life. But if such actions can really save a life to animals, then such a reaction in man is only a primitive instinct of self-preservation.

Types of fear

Studies of fear have proved that there are two types of human reaction to danger:

• active;
• passive.

So, in the first case, the body immediately activates all the protective forces. In this state, the possibilities are significantly increased. Many cases have been noted when in a state of fear a person performed unusual things for him: he jumped a high barrier, carried weights, overcame long distances in a short time, etc. In addition, attempts to repeat such things in a calm state led to setbacks. Such possibilities are explained by the fact that at the moment of fright, adrenaline is produced in a large amount in the human body. It is this substance that activates protective functions in a short time, allowing all available resources to be used to overcome the threat.

Passive reaction occurs when a person unconsciously tries to hide from the danger that has arisen. This is manifested in fading (as most animals and birds behave when approaching a threat to life), covering their eyes and mouth with the palms of their hands. 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 endure a threat, still remains a mystery to the researchers of this problem. There are suggestions that this is due to a person's social experience and his individual psychological and physiological characteristics.

Effects

Is fear fearful? The doctors answer this question unambiguously - this emotion carries serious and abrupt changes in the body, which can not but affect health. Severe fright can cause blood flow disturbances, brain hypoxia, a significant increase in blood pressure with all the attendant consequences. In serious cases, a possible blockage of blood vessels and, as a consequence, a heart attack.

Fans of extreme entertainment are confident that adrenaline in the blood increases vitality, improves health. Indeed, this substance causes a tonic effect in the body, and the sensations that a person experiences during fright are often compared with euphoria. Despite this, doctors argue that the frequent release of the hormone of fear reduces the strength of the body. Regular increase of pressure leads to a heavy load on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of various diseases: from couperose to disruption of internal organs.

Is it possible to recover from fear?

Human 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 and in the absence of a clear threat to life. For example, public speaking, a dark room or an innocuous insect is unlikely to carry a real danger. Nevertheless, almost every one of us is afraid of something absolutely groundless. And this manifests itself 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 what hormone is produced in fear, explained the mechanism of the formation of such an emotion in humans. It can be noted that in most cases such a protective reaction protects a person from real danger. But groundless fears can lead to serious health problems.