The Basic Emotion of Fear: Neurochemistry

Fear is, as I often say, the most basic emotion. It was the first to appear in the course of evolution, and that’s why so much is “tied” to it. Many people think that to live a happy life, you need to experience joy. But actually, for most people, happiness requires fear. Unfortunately, those who control what we see on TV know this all too well.

From a neurobiological perspective, getting pleasure from fear is completely normal and actually quite simple. The feeling of fear is crucial for human survival. Evolutionarily, people with poorly developed reactions to frightening things were less likely to survive in the wild. When the brain senses a threat, often before the conscious mind processes the information, the amygdalae in both hemispheres send signals to mobilize the nervous system into “fight or flight” mode.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone, cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline are released into the bloodstream in large amounts. Heart rate increases, pupils dilate, and sweating begins, creating a state of heightened arousal and alertness to prepare the body for action.

However, as soon as our brain determines that the threat is not deadly or significant, the frontal lobes (not hormones) regain control of the situation. The brain’s ability to calm itself is very pleasant, which is why people seek out this feeling again and again. Next, the parasympathetic nervous system shifts into rest and relaxation mode, releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine. The greater the fear, the more dopamine is released. Dopamine brings an intense (especially in contrast to fear) feeling of pleasure and relaxation.

This pattern becomes reinforced, but it can also become pathological, as we fall into the trap of our brain’s biochemistry. Seeking a dopamine “release” (a large, one-time surge of dopamine in the blood), the brain starts to direct our attention toward seeking out fear. We begin to look for and even want fear, so that afterward, we can relax, think that things aren’t so bad, and get another dose of dopamine. As always, we are not aware of this loop.

For some people, this pathological neurochemical loop leads to adrenaline addiction—a constant search for new thrills and adventures. For others, it results in a persistent feeling of insecurity and shyness, which are microstates of fear.

By the way, I was once very surprised to realize that insecurity is a neurochemical way to get pleasure! It’s equally surprising that even if we want to break this loop, direct suggestions like “don’t believe, don’t fear, don’t ask” don’t help—such phrases actually contribute to the formation of fear in most people.

So, stay calm and confident in yourself. Track your own patterns of fear and insecurity—knowing them makes life much easier.