The almond-shaped body, also known as the amygdala. This area has a paired structure, is located in the temporal lobes of the brain, in front of the memory center - hippocampus, and records the sensations associated with each signal from the senses. This is how, among other things, the emotional learning of our psyche takes place.
The amygdala belongs to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls autonomic functions, certain physiological reactions and emotions. It is also associated with the functioning of memory, decision-making and regulation of internal organs.
Why do we need the amygdala?
- This is the control department of emotions, especially fear and aggression.
- The mandible recognizes threats and gives an immediate reflex reaction to them, provides defensive behavior.
- It stores all the emotions we have encountered and remembers our actions at that moment.
- It also triggers autonomic (physical) reactions in case of danger: rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, dizziness, pale skin, etc.
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One of the most important tasks of the amygdala is to scan the environment for danger. The amygdala receives signals from pain centers and all sensory systems: eyes, ears, fingers, mouth, etc. Once these impulses are read as alarming, it exclaims "Rescue! Urgent!" And we, for example, pull our hand away from a hot thing, freeze on the edge of a cliff, sharply hit the brake.
All fast reflex movements are the result of the work of the amygdala. And first we do it, and then we analyze it. This is already handled by the prefrontal cortex.
The amygdala is the earliest to be activated. It also stores the entire environment at the moment of danger: sounds, smells, pictures, people, animals. Just in case. To react and protect us even faster next time. That's why any element of that situation can later be considered by the brain as a threat.
- The amygdala works on the principle that it is better to give an extra warning than to miss a real danger.
- The link between the amygdala and fear suggests the influence of amygdala activity on the development of anxiety disorders.
Stimuli that remind us of an unpleasant experience can cause the amygdala to signal the body to prepare to fight or flee. This may also be the mechanism behind panic attacks. For example, in people with anxiety disorders, the amygdala doesn't work quite right. Simply put, the brain often sees danger where there is none. And the body reacts to what's happening as a real threat. The brain again interprets the body's signals, and for it they are proof of "danger", so the stress system speeds up even more. New physiological symptoms, appearing over and over again, are interpreted as even more evidence that something terrible and dangerous is happening. And so it's already become a vicious circle. The person is tormented by all these symptoms as if he were running away from a tiger all day long.
The workings of the amygdala have a huge impact on social life. The detailed study of individual structures of the "social brain" helps scientists to understand the mechanisms of our everyday interactions. In addition, it provides insight into the origins of certain mental states and allows us to develop approaches to treating diseases in which these interactions are disrupted.