Question

Outline the process by which the fight-or-flight bodily systems activate and deactivate. (Chapter 13)

Answer 1

The “fight or flight response” is the physiologic response that forms the cornerstone of the stress medicine of modern day. It is the inborn, automatic, and primitive response of our body that prepares the body to either flee from or fight a perceived harm, attack or threat to save us. When we are under excessive stress (whether it is due to external circumstances or internal worry), the body triggers a reaction to it and that is called the fight or flight response. Hard wired in our brains, this response represents a hereditary wisdom designed for protecting us from any kind of bodily harm. The fight or flight response corresponds to our brain’s area called the hypothalamus. When hypothalamus is stimulated a sequence of nerve-cell-firing is initiated and chemicals are released in order to prepare out body for fighting or escaping.

Upon activation of fight or flight response, a series of nerve-cell firing takes place and noradrenaline, adrenaline, cortisol and other chemicals are released in our blood stream. As a result, our body has to undergo a series of dramatic changes such as an increase in our respiratory rate, blood moving towards limbs and muscles that require additional fuel and energy for fighting or for running,. Dilation of pupils, intensified awareness, sharpened sight, and quickened impulse are few of the several other signs of this response. The response actually helps us prepare (both physically and psychologically) to either fight or flight.

This is how “fight or flight response” helps us to save ourselves and other lives that are precious to us.