Why Do We Get Scared?

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When we feel alone, when we see something strange, we get scared. Because such actions stimulates the trigger nervous system. So what Happens? 

 The signal travels to the amygdala  - a region near the base of the brain. The amygdala fires a brain chemical called glutamate out into two other regions of the brain. The first region makes us freeze or involuntarily jump. These reactions are so automatic because the signal is sent deep into the base of the brain to an area that we have little control over.
 The second signal is sent to the hypothalamus and triggers our autonomic nervous system .  the system responsible for the fight or flight instinct . And you feel like superman . It increases our heart rate and blood pressure and pumps adrenaline throughout our bodies. So you run away very fast.

Actually We experience fear in three stages

1. Freeze. 

 It is designed to keep us hidden from predators when we sense it.

2. Flight.  

When you are already spotted by a predator, adrenaline(emergency hormone)  is released and you run as fast as fast you never did.

3. Fight

 If running is not longer useful, the released adrenaline will  make you strong enough to fight. Enhancing muscle contraction and speed. 

If you are not threatened in real life conditions then your body has solution.

The parasympathetic nervous system is the counter to the fight or flight instinct - it reverses the flood of adrenaline and lowers our heart rate back to its normal state.

So when we jump at the sight of an horror movie, our body do not release andraline . After the initial reaction our brains recognize the threat is not real and the parasympathetic nervous system calms us down

Stay tuned for more...