Feb 8
When weโre calm, the prefrontal cortex (the thinking, regulating part of the brain) stays online, helping us focus, make good decisions, regulate emotions, and inhibit impulsive reactions. It keeps the emotional centres like the amygdala in check through balanced levels of dopamine and noradrenaline. Under stress, however, these chemicals surge. This chemical flood effectively weakens the prefrontal cortex and hands control to survival circuits. Emotional reactions, habits, and compulsive behaviours take over, while reasoning, perspective, and self control drop offline. In short, stress doesnโt mean weโre failing, it means the brain has shifted into protection mode, prioritising survival over thinking.
(Anthony Goldsmith)