A recent study published in the Science journal, has finally revealed why your body responds to emotional stress; and it all lies in a neural circuit. The circuit, as the study points out, could be a key target for stress-induced disorders like PTSD, and panic disorder.
It said, emotional stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which kicks in physical responses, like rising blood pressure, faster heart rate, and an increase in body temperature. However, these responses are interpreted as coping mechanisms to boost physical performance in fight-or-flight situations.
The study was conducted by injecting tracers into the brains of rats, who were subjected to a stressful event. It showed that the DP/DTT brain areas were highly active when exposed to stress.
