Bravery and fear

It is the amygdala that activates 4 pathways when it senses a threat, the startle response, the sympathetic nervous system releases adrenaline, the parasympathetic shut down all activaties including digestion tissue repair and growth and the HPA axis releases cortisol which is your flight or fight system which shuts down the adrenaline. Surprisingly, a state of intense fear can actually facilitate extraordinary acts of bravery because circuitry within the brain triggers the release of the hormone and neurotransmitter adrenaline, which mimics the effects of amphetamines. Under its influence, a person’s attention focuses, and time seems to slow down. Compounds similar to the active ingredient in codeine dull pain, preventing some people in extreme danger from realizing they’ve broken bones. And cortisol released into the bloodstream spurs the body to mobilize its energy stores so that it can move with otherwise unfeasible speed and strength in the face of danger. Invite someone to take a closer look at Christ our creator and the church.

bravery