Amygdala Saves Me Again

 

Amygdala Saves Me Again

By

 Stu Cassell

 

Scientists tell us the human brain processes information through a central switchboard known as the Thalamus. Information is then routed to either the Neo-Cortex, also known as the “modern brain”, or the Amygdala, known as a great word to use in Scrabble. The Amygdala is also called the “primitive brain” and is considered the source of instinctive behavior. Instinctive behaviors are hard-wired from birth and not taught. 

 The strongest human instinctive behavior is the survival instinct which serves to protect and perpetuate the species. It explains parental protectiveness of our offspring. This instinct is constantly tested by toddlers in restaurants who scream at the top of their young lungs. 

 The second strongest human instinct is self-preservation. I witnessed an example of this in myself last week when I entered a local fast food restaurant. There was only one person behind the counter, and she repeatedly coughed into her hand. Without thinking about it, I turned and left. My Amygdala directed me away from possible contagion and shortly there after my Neo-cortex reflected upon the move and mentally patted me on the back for making a wise decision. I loves me some of their French fries, but not to the extent of risking another sore throat or cold this season.

 There are several types of behavior that can all be considered part of self-preservation.  What I demonstrated was Flight. I moved away from the danger. 

 Fight is another response to danger tied into self-preservation. However, in modern man it can be triggered by non-physical stimuli such as insults. 

 Insult: Your mama is so fat when she steps on a scale it says “to be continued”

 In much the same way that a rattlesnake warns its prey of an imminent strike by shaking its rattle, the respondent to the above insult may shake their head repeatedly from side to side while raising one index finger, uttering the words,

 “Oh no, you didn’t just diss my momma!”

 In this instance the offspring is protective of the parent. Additional insults would no doubt result in a physical response from the recipient of the insults.

 During my last failed marriage my ex-wife used to deliver monologues which often lasted up to forty five minutes - I kid you not. As a survival technique, I developed the ability to nod and say “uh huh” at appropriate intervals while mentally disengaging from what was being said to me. 

 I freely admit I have a short attention span; however, in this instance I felt the duration of the one sided conversations were brain numbing. I chose the option of not directly upsetting my ex-wife and instead appeared to be listening. In reality, my mind had booked passage somewhere else, a blissful mental escape where scantily clad maidens fed me grapes and massaged my back.

 Unfortunately, after years of utilizing this skill with my ex-wife, I occasionally lapse into this practice with my present wife. She, however, recognizes the slightly glazed look in my eyes when I begin my return to my “happy place.”

 At such times she will sharply ask, “Are you listening to me?”

 Warning! Warning!  Danger! Danger! My Amygdala kicks in and somehow, without consciously taking in what she says, I am suddenly able to repeat - almost verbatim - what she just said to me.

 “Of course dear, I heard every word. You were talking about how hot the kitchen is and how you want me to replace the fluorescent light with a nice fan that has four lights.”

 I passed the test and she’s appeased. In fact, she’s amazed, since she was certain I wasn’t paying attention to her. My primitive brain saved me, and I will live to see the light of yet another day.