Understanding Why Humans Experience Fear
The basic understanding of why humans experience fear is that it is a natural emotion that alerts us to danger. Examples include walking alone at night, facing dangerous animals, and preparing to skydive. However, the emotional state can go beyond basic survival; fear can also lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. For this reason, understanding the physiology of fear is crucial to a deeper understanding of the condition. Nevertheless, there are many more aspects of why human beings experience fear that need further study.
Neuroscience has demonstrated that this process involves massive reciprocal interactions between brain regions. In particular, the amygdala, a group of nuclei in the limbic system, is the primary region involved in processing fear. The amygdala projects to the PAG, which in turn is reciprocally connected to the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, the insula is responsible for interoception and reward processing, which are involved in fear-related behaviors.
In addition to this, certain fears are natural during childhood. For example, a fear of deep water may develop after you are not a strong swimmer. In such a case, learning how to swim safely can help you overcome this fear. Although fear is healthy and necessary when it warns us of danger, it can also be over-emphasized and become a negative emotion that is counterproductive. This is why scientists are increasingly finding ways to overcome these fears and overcome them.