explore -WSS

explore

author：comprehensive 2025-10-01 04:13:49 - browse：58

Why do we gasp, jump and go pale when we're frightened? It all comes down to a tiny, almond-shaped structure in the brain that's called the amygdala. Matthew Orr, Alex Hogan/STAT

It feels like your body reacts a million different ways when you get scared — the blood rushes out of your face, you jump, you gasp, your heart starts racing.

But what’s happening inside your body that makes you feel afraid?

It all comes down to a tiny, almond-shaped structure in the brain that’s called the amygdala.

It’s responsible for kickstarting your “startle response.” That sends out a distress signal to the hypothalamus, and from there, your brain makes the call between fight and flight.

Learn more about the science of fear in the new episode of “Boddities.”

Watch other “Boddities” episodes:

Related: Episode 5: Why do bright lights make us see spots?

Related: Watch: Episode 4: Why do our ears pop?

Related: Watch: Episode 3: Why doesn’t your stomach digest itself?

Related: Watch: Episode 2: Why does it hurt to get water up your nose?

Related: Watch: Episode 1: Does drinking soda help settle an upset stomach?

Previous article： Moonlake's readout produced a cash windfall. Risks remain
Next article： Focused ultrasound for uterine fibroids: an uphill battle

leisure time

WSS

Gene therapies for deafness raise the question: Do deaf people want a 'cure'?

Do more moles mean more problems? Not so, says new study

Readout Newsletter: Moderna bird flu vaccine, Biohaven, ASCO

Do more moles mean more problems? Not so, says new study

NIH nominee Bertagnolli will get October confirmation hearing

Adam's Biotech Scorecard: Do Sarepta's exon

focus

explore

Related: Episode 5: Why do bright lights make us see spots?

Related: Watch: Episode 4: Why do our ears pop?

Related: Watch: Episode 3: Why doesn’t your stomach digest itself?

Related: Watch: Episode 2: Why does it hurt to get water up your nose?

Related: Watch: Episode 1: Does drinking soda help settle an upset stomach?

focus

Medical records are filled with copy

Report: NIH

Biden outlines 'new path' to provide student loan relief after Supreme Court rejection

Latest bird flu infection made farmworker sicker than earlier cases

Anesthesiologist group: stop taking Ozempic before surgery

Covid hospitalizations on the rise, Humana says

Activists slam private health insurers over coverage restrictions

'Make People Better': The CRISPR babies story you probably don't know

Walensky prepares to leave CDC — and Congress — behind

What American doctors can learn from their Israeli counterparts

Wikipedia

Readout Newsletter: Moderna bird flu vaccine, Biohaven, ASCO

Weighted lottery helped low

Health insurers say they are turning to AI to cut costs, improve care

How to fix cancer clinical trials' diversity problem

Why Novartis is changing the name of its research labs

Childbirth

Wikipedia

leisure time

focus

explore