When something that has been labeled as dangerous occurs, the amygdala secretes hormones into the body to throw it into a “fight or flight” response. This theory would be Darwin-approved; a trigger in our brain to tell us that something is dangerous puts us in a state of heightened awareness.
Ever been on a roller coaster that was just a bit too old and rickety? (Coney Island’s Cyclone, I’m looking at you!) Or when was the last time you saw a really creepy spider that made you jump from out of your seat? Is a “Daddy Longlegs” really going to incur that much damage? But if you are taken aback enough, you may find that you are sweating, anxious, and jittery. These natural “flight or fight” responses are triggered by events that we find troubling.