Fight Or Flight Response Research Paper

The fight-or-flight response is the reaction when a person perceives a threat. This person has now has two physiological options, to stand up to that threat and fight, or to run away (Grohol). To understand what happens during fight or flight, one needs to understand what chemicals and hormones are used during the process. First, the nervous system is broken down into two major systems: Central and Peripheral. The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord, and deals with emotion and motor skills. Next, the peripheral nervous system is divided into two sub-systems: the somatic nervous system, which regulates voluntary actions, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is linked to involuntary activities. The ANS adjusts internal organ functions. …show more content…
The sympathetic nervous system triggers the the fight-or-flight response. While the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for what happens after fight or flight, returning your body to normal by calming it down after a threat has passed. This system takes much longer to restore the body to normal (Saltsman). A hormone used during these processes includes adrenaline, which is also referred to as apinephrine. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands, and is responsible for the immediate reactions a person would feel. Another important hormone is norepinephrine, coming from the adrenal glands and the brain. Norepinephrine makes a person more aware and awake, shifts blood flow, and is the backup system for adrenaline. Lastly, is the hormone cortisol, which takes more time to be released into the bloodstream. First the amygdala has to recognize the threat, then a series of hormones released causes the adrenal glands to start the production of cortisol