The Fight-or-Flight Response

• The Fight-or-Flight response is the way an animal responds when stressed. The body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight off an aggressor or to escape
• Hypothalamus (activated by the amygdala)--> activates pituitary gland that triggers --> sympathetic branch of autonomic nervous system --> activates adrenal medulla --> release of adrenaline and noradrenaline --> activates for the fight or flight response --> helps in case of emergency and is best suited for acute stress: immediate/sudden stress --> parasympathetic branch activates when stress has passed
• The Fight or Flight Response

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Breathing rates become more rapid
  • Reduced activity of the stomach
  • Dry mouth
  • Pupils dilated
  • Glucose released into bloodstream to provide more energy
• Parasympathetic branch activation

  Reverses the effects of the sympathetic branch, returning the body back to its basal conditions after fight or flight