What is Amygdala Hijack ?
The amygdala is a neural structure located in the base region of the brain that is involved in processing emotions, stress response and fear. It’s referred to as “the gateway to the limbic system”. Which is the basic survival and subconscious area of the brain.
The amygdala is the area of the brain that is responsible for triggering the “fight or flight” response that comes with the feeling we get when we feel threatened or in danger. It’s an automatic self protective survival impulse that is engaged when we are reacting to fear. Whether real or imagined. Our amygdala releases stress hormones that prepare our bodies to either fight the threat or to flee from it.
Common emotions that trigger the amygdala hijack response are anxiety, fear and aggression.
Amygdala Hijack
Daniel Goleman, psychologist, first referred to “amygdala hijack” in his book published in 1995, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.
It is based on the idea that the amygdala region of the brain can sometimes irrationally take charge of a person’s ability to respond to a threatening situation. So that the person overreacts in an emotional and intense manner that is not proportionate to the situation.
It reduces the role the prefrontal cortex should play in mitigating a proper response. Which would be a more rational, controlled and logically processed response.
So, in essence the amygdala overrides the frontal lobes which would normalize the information gathering network in deciding what the appropriate reaction should be. The end result is a classic fight or flight reaction. That is amygdala hijack.
Causes and Symptoms
The amygdala causes the adrenal glands to release the hormones, adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream which dilates airway passages to supply more oxygen for the muscles to use to take action. Also, dilating the pupils for sharper vision. The hijacking takes place after the unwarranted fight or flight response is in effect hindering the person’s ability to react in a rational way. During the fight or flight response the body will increase blood sugar levels for oxygen and energy levels.
Most of the instances, if there isn’t a serious threat, the person can respond appropriately. However, if a person responds in a threatening way and the danger isn’t very serious. They may be experiencing a amygdala hijack episode.
Amygdala hijack may share some of the same symptoms as generalized anxiety and stress like:
Rapid or racing heart rate
Light headedness
Increased perspiration and sweaty palms
Excessive worry
High blood pressure
Insomnia
Frequent headaches
The amygdala hijack affect will render a person being more argumentative or aggressive to a situation that is out of proportion and over dramatic for what is considered a normal reaction.
Prevention and Care
It’s critical for a person who is experiencing amygdala hijack to be aware of it in the moment and take the time to walk away from the situation to calm down and regroup. The idea being to stop, think and activate the frontal cortex lobes. Which once activated will direct them to trigger a more rational response.
Making this a habit over time can help lessen the brains harmful stress response.
If someone can’t seem to break the cycle and experiences all or some of the above symptoms. Then, seeking medical help like cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management or LENS neurofeedback have been shown to be very beneficial.
LENS Neurofeedback For Amygdala Hijack
LENS neurofeedback has a remarkable way of tapping into and changing static frozen brainwave states. The ones that have become difficult to adjust to stressors over time, like amygdala hijack.
From a brainwave science point of view. Brainwaves are what dictates behaviors. If we can change the brainwave patterns to become more normalized, then the behaviors will follow. But, time can play a major detrimental role in locking maladaptive brain frequencies to hold into place. So they become immovable.
In the case of amygdala hijack. The brainwaves that are responsible for how the amygdala performs under stress have been negatively impacted by exterior factors, causing the autonomic nervous system to remain engaged. Thinking that a crisis is taking place, so that the parasympathetic nervous system can’t do it’s job. Which would be to relax the person so they could “take their foot off the gas and hit the breaks.”
LENS neurofeedback directly communicates with out of sync frequencies. Immersing it’s subliminal signal into the improper brainwave patterns caused by stress. Disrupts their normal “ by rote” response pattern and stimulates new waves to form and realign to become more flexible. This action “ kicks in” the parasympathetic nervous system to take over and calm the person down. The more times this is done over the course of treatments. The more the body and brain will coordinate to RESET and permanently change the behavior.
Amygdala hijack is a type of anxiety that involves the amygdala to activate the adrenals in response to stress. This is a normal and healthy action when it’s necessary. Your body is trying to warn you and take care of you in a crisis. But, if you are experiencing the fear, anxiousness, worry or brain fog that accompanies it. Even when you are not in danger and can’t shut it off. Don’t wait for help. There is a solution for you.
-A Balanced Brain is a Calmer Brain-
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