The fear hormone is called adrenaline, also known as epinephrine. When you experience fear or stress, your adrenal glands release adrenaline into your bloodstream, triggering the "fight-or-flight" response. This response prepares your body to either confront the threat or flee from it.
Adrenaline causes a range of physiological changes, including:
- Increased heart rate: To deliver more oxygen to your muscles.
- Increased blood pressure: To improve blood flow to your muscles.
- Increased respiration rate: To provide more oxygen to your muscles.
- Dilated pupils: To enhance vision.
- Reduced digestive activity: To divert blood flow to your muscles.
Cortisol, another hormone produced by the adrenal glands, also plays a role in the fear response. It's often referred to as the "stress hormone" and helps regulate your body's response to stress. Cortisol can have both short-term and long-term effects on your body, including:
- Increased blood sugar: To provide energy to your muscles.
- Suppressed immune system: To prioritize immediate survival over fighting off infection.
- Enhanced memory: To help you remember the situation and avoid it in the future.
While both adrenaline and cortisol are crucial for the fear response, adrenaline is often considered the primary "fear hormone" due to its immediate and dramatic effects on your body.
