The Brain’s Stress Response: Beyond Fight-or-Flight
Stress is an unavoidable aspect of life, yet comprehending our brain’s reaction to it can equip us with better management strategies. The well-known “fight-or-flight” response is merely one facet of a complex system. Let’s explore the intricacies of this response, examine additional reactions to stress, and discuss the enduring effects on our cognitive functions and decision-making processes.
The Brain’s Three States: Survival, Emotional, and Executive
Our brain operates in three primary states:
- Survival State: This is where the fight-or-flight response resides, driven by the brain stem and focused on basic life functions and safety.
- Emotional State: Governed by the limbic system, this state processes emotions and is where the fawn and freeze responses can occur.
- Executive State: Housed in the prefrontal cortex, this state manages complex thinking, planning, and decision-making. Understanding these states helps us recognise how stress can shift our brain’s functioning from a rational executive state to a more primitive survival state.
