Anatomy of...fear!

What is fear? 

• A basic survival mechanism in response to pain or threat of danger. Common fears are passed down because humans that were quick to fear dangerous situations were most likely to survive.

What happens when you are scared?

• Your brain recognises danger and kicks your body into high gear.
• Breath quickens so you can take in more oxygen.
• Pupils dilate to see better.
• Heart beats faster, pumping more blood to your muscles and brain.
• Hair stands on end making you look bigger.
• Andrenaline is released to give you more energy.
• Digestive and urinary system slows down.

Some of the most common fears:

1.Spiders, mice, snakes and bats.

2.Heights.

3.Water.

4.Dogs.

5.Storms.

6.Closed spaces.

7.Crowds.

8.Needles.

9.Public Speaking

10.Flying.

Some really odd fears:

1.Sesquipedalophobia. (Fear of long words)

2.Linonophobia. (Fear of strings)

3.Barophobia. (Fear of Gravity)

4.Arachibotyrophobia. (Fear of Peanut-butter sticking to the roof of your mouth)

5.Papaphobia. (Fear of the pope)

6.Spectrophobia. (Fear of mirrors)

So, why do we like being scared?

• Our brain understands there is no real danger so we enjoy the andrenaline rush.
• We are not actually araid but excited.
• We are testing and overcoming our limits.
• Could be the sense of relief after the rush.
• Neurological systems in our brains that are stimulated by fear are also associated with pleasure.

So, are you afraid? ;)

Sources: kidshealth.org.

changingminds.org

wired.com

uspa.org

fearofstuff.com