Imagine you're in the forest and a bear is chasing you. Your body suddenly feels like it has superpowers, your heart beats fast, you can run faster, and you feel stronger. This is called the 'fight or flight' response. It’s our body's way of helping us survive dangerous situations by preparing us to either fight the danger or run from it.
What happens in our body? When we feel threatened, our brain sends a signal to our adrenal glands, which then release hormones like adrenaline into our bloodstream. This makes our heart beat faster and gives us more energy, so we can react quickly.
Examples
- A squirrel suddenly appears in the middle of the road, your heart starts racing and you jump back out of the way.
- A loud noise wakes you up at night, and your body instantly prepares for danger, even if there’s no real threat.
Ask a question
See also
- Why Do Humans Have a 'Fight or Flight' Response?
- Can Danger Give You Super Strength?
- Why Do Humans Get Nervous?
- What causes the 'fight or flight' response in humans?
- What are catecholamines?
Discussion
Recent activity
Categories: Psychology · fight or flight· stress response· survival mechanisms· neurobiology· psychophysiology