Fear is an emotional response to a known, defined threat and is generally considered an unpleasant emotion. However, some people do everything possible to provoke it - for example, by jumping from an airplane or bungee, with scary movies. This is especially true for Gen Z who feel a need for strong sensations. First of all, it should be clear that the feeling of fear helps not only people to survive. It also exists in animals, which run and hide from the larger and predatory beasts in nature because of it.

But the question is: what does the fear response cause in our bodies and brains? The breathing rate and heart rate accelerate, peripheral blood vessels constrict, and central blood vessels around vital organs dilate to make room for oxygen and nutrients. Further, the muscles become tighter, causing the piloerection we all know as goosebumps. Blood glucose, calcium and white blood cell levels get higher, too.

How to respond to fear - with fight or flight, it starts shaping in the amygdala, which is an almond-shaped body in the brain. It is a small bundle of neurons that is part of the limbic system and plays an important role in processing emotions, including fear. The amygdala is involved in recognizing an angry face and hostile body language, it serves as an alarm when a bee buzzes around us, tells us which way cars are coming from – in other words, the things people should run from, but also the things towards they must watch, attend and remember.

The amygdala signals to the hypothalamus, which then activates the pituitary gland—the place where the nervous system meets the endocrine (hormonal) system. The pituitary gland then releases adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) into the blood, and the adrenal gland releases epinephrine (adrenaline) and other catecholamines, which slow down bowel activity, which explains the feeling of "butterflies" in the stomach. The body releases cortisol in response to ACTH, which causes blood pressure, blood sugar, and white blood cells to rise.

Hearing and vision can be reduced due to these hormones. You may also have watery eyes or dilated pupils and a dry mouth.

Many confuse fear with phobias, but it should be known that these are two different things. However, it is possible for the fear to turn into a phobia when it interferes with the quality of life. If you go to extreme lengths to avoid water, spiders, people, etc., you may have a phobia. At this point, you should consider getting professional help.