The Science Behind Anxiety: What Happens in the Brain
Anxiety isn’t just “in your head” — it’s in your brain chemistry , your nervous system , and your body’s built-in survival mechanism . While it often feels like a storm of thoughts and emotions, anxiety is actually rooted in science. Understanding what happens in the brain during anxiety can help demystify the experience and reduce shame or self-blame. Let’s break it down. What Is Anxiety, Really? At its core, anxiety is a natural response to perceived danger . It’s your body’s way of saying, “Something feels off — let’s get ready to protect ourselves.” This was useful when our ancestors needed to dodge predators or react quickly to threats. But in the modern world, that same system can get triggered by emails, social situations, health worries , or even our own thoughts. The Key Players in the Brain Several areas of the brain work together when anxiety is triggered. Here's a closer look: 1. The Amygdala: The Alarm System The amygdala is like your brain’s smoke detector. I...