How The Brain Works In Critical Situations

In critical situations , our brain activates a rapid response that sets a number of behavioral and hormonal responses in motion. Furthermore , this mode of functioning is innate and differs from how the brain usually functions.

Our brain is the organ with the most responsibility when it comes to bodily functions and behaviors. In many cases, our brain functions consciously and procedurally (initiates functions we have already learned, such as walking and talking).

But in critical situations when it detects a risk or threat, it operates with nerve networks that are responsible for activating the survival system. Thus, our brain is ready to act immediately.

For example , our nervous network acts as an alarm system and is responsible for making decisions in critical situations. This alarm system is not perfect and can sometimes force us to make wrong decisions.

Below we will tell you more about how the brain works in critical situations and the consequences that this activation of the alarm systems can have.

The limbic system and critical situations

The human brain has a nervous system that is responsible for emotional processes and responses related to fear and anxiety. We refer to the limbic system, which is located in the temporal lobe.

The limbic system contains a structure that is especially dedicated to detecting and processing danger: the amygdala. This structure is connected to different areas of the brain and has the capacity to initiate rapid and intense behavior.

All mammals have an innate “fight or flight” response when faced with dangerous stimuli. Furthermore, this reaction is triggered by the amygdala.

The alarm response can be activated consciously when we face serious dangers or unconsciously through a cerebral shortcut.

Possible brain responses in critical situations

In critical situations, the brain can send out orders to flee

Our brain does not ask if we think it is appropriate to either flee or confront a situation. Therefore , an alarm response in dangerous moments can aggravate the situation because we make quick decisions without taking into account the possible consequences. For example, we run away to escape danger.

A critical situation can cause us to escape from a perceived danger without noticing other dangers that we will face. For example, crossing the street without looking to either side, or throwing ourselves off a balcony.

Your brain can ask you to stay and fight against the perceived danger

This is when a person confronts a threat to save their life by eliminating it. When this sympathetic system is activated, the combat response increases the blood’s adrenaline level. It also generates an acute stress response that makes the muscles more resilient, the skin less sensitive, and the lungs get more capacity. All this gives an increased strength. 

Paralysis or confusion

A person in danger loses his ability to react. Thus, they hide and are not able to do much. In response, a paralysis expects the threat to simply disappear. When this response is activated , the person loses the ability to activate the locomotor system, thus remaining immobile.

As you can see, the brain has a survival system during critical situations that is activated immediately and almost unconsciously. Furthermore, within a few milliseconds, the brain can cause us to respond inappropriately in certain situations. In fact, there are times when the alarm response increases the danger. This is why certain professionals are dedicated to training people to know how to behave during emergencies.

The consequences of the activation of the survival system

The surest immediate consequence of a critical situation is physical and emotional exhaustion. This extreme exhaustion is a result of wear and tear due to a dangerous situation and can last for more than a day. In addition, it can still hang on after sleeping and resting. This is because all our nerve and physical resources were focused on survival.

In addition to exhaustion, critical situations can also leave traces in memory because the amygdala and hippocampus (the structure responsible for storing new information and memories) work together.

With this in mind, the amygdala activates the hippocampus to store new memories. Therefore, most people tend to forget about traumatic situations.

Posttraumatic stress disorder

Another possible consequence of this activation is PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This mental disorder manifests itself after intense physical and emotional activations.

But PTSD does not always manifest itself after a critical situation.

PTSD requires specialized psychological treatment due to its characteristic flashbacks of events, which can lead to moments of great sadness and the perception of a constant threat in the immediate environment.

Finally, it is important to remember that the brain can learn to respond more appropriately to critical or dangerous situations. Training, emergency protocols and self-defense strategies are key elements that can help us improve our survival response.