The Fight or Flight Response

You don't have to look far back in history to know that our ancestors lived in a world that was either filled with dangerous animals, or people from a different place who were after your land or life. Our ancestors would not have been able to survive these assaults without the Fight or Flight response.

During this automatic, lightening-fast response any body function that you need to be able to move fast and strongly is turned on, and anything that will slow you down is turned off, all without you consciously thinking of it. For example, bodily functions such as digestion that are not required for immediate safety, are minimised to allow for the intense activity of functions that could be life-saving, such as increased in blood flow to the forearms and the legs and a large injection of sugar into the bloodstream to allow for fast, strong movement.

The following typically occur during the fight or flight response:

• Increase production of the stress hormones called adrenalin and cortisol.
• The liver releases more sugar into the bloodstream for added energy.
• Increased and stronger heart rate.
• Airways open.
• Blood pressure increases.
• Blood vessels in the leg muscles and forearms open up, increasing the blood flow to these areas.
• Pupils in the eyes dilate.
• Blood vessels in the skin and digestive tract constrict reducing blood flow.
• Senses become more acute.
• Sweating increases.

If you cross your legs and hit just below the kneecap sharply with the side of your hand, your foot will jump, which is a reflex action and always occurs if you hit this position at the correct angle and force.  The fight or flight response is like this. Modern man seldom has to worry about wolves or marauding Picts, but we still have the fight or flight response that sets all of these things instantly in motion when the subconscious thinks it might be handy.

It does not matter what kind of danger it is for the brain to immediately activate the series of reactions and activities associated with the fight or flight response to allow you to focus intently on the situation at hand, make snap decisions and move quickly with extra strength.  

The trouble with the subconscious part of the brain is that it sometimes has trouble working out what is real and what is not. The body responds in the same way to coming face-to-face with a real wolf in the forest as it does to one that leaps at your television screen.

If the perceived fear is having a job interview or making a public speech, then the fight or flight response is more likely to be a handicap than a help, when your mouth and throat dries up and your hands become slick with sweat.