Home > Your brain > What are emotions? > Which area of your brain controls emotions? > Are you scared?
Are you scared?
Fear triggers immediate changes in you just as in other animals – your hair stands on end, your heart beats faster, and your body gets ready to either attack or run. When you recognise danger, or feel afraid, you are using an area of your brain called the amygdala. People with damage to this area can no longer recognise fear in others.
Feeling afraid helps you to react to dangerous situations.
Which part of the brain controls fear?
The amygdala is linked to the parts of the brain that govern your senses, muscles and hormones – enabling your body to react quickly to the sight or sound of a threat. The same information can also travel via the cortex, where it is put together to get the whole picture. This route is probably slower, but allows you to modify your behaviour if the situation isn't as dangerous as it first seemed.
Principal Funder:
Major Sponsors:
