While no single hormone directly makes you "brave," research indicates that the stress hormone cortisol plays a crucial role in determining how someone responds to challenging situations. Instead of thinking of cortisol as a "bravery" hormone, it's more accurate to say that a lack of a cortisol rush is associated with brave behavior.
How Cortisol Impacts Responses to Stress
According to research from 2009, those who "rise to the challenge" in stressful situations do not experience the same level of cortisol spike compared to those who "fall to pieces."
Key Points about Cortisol and Bravery
- Cortisol is a stress hormone: Released during stressful situations, cortisol is associated with the body's "fight-or-flight" response.
- Different Responses: Individuals react differently to stress. Some experience a large cortisol surge, leading to feelings of anxiety or fear, while others have a more muted response, allowing them to maintain composure.
- Not a "Bravery" Hormone: The absence of a large cortisol rush, not the presence of cortisol, seems to be associated with brave actions, suggesting that it's more about how the body manages stress responses.
Example
- Person A: Faces a dangerous situation, experiences a large cortisol surge, becomes panicked, and freezes.
- Person B: Faces the same dangerous situation but doesn't experience the same intensity of cortisol release; they can stay calm and take action, appearing "brave."
In summary, bravery isn't due to a surge of a particular "brave hormone" but might be linked to the absence of an intense cortisol response.
