Let's learn about the amygdala: the tiny part of the brain that controls your emotions.

Have you ever felt a sudden surge of fear or anger? Or do you feel a strong emotion when you remember an old event? Behind all this is a small but very important part hidden inside your brain. Today we are talking about this part called the amygdala. This is like the control center of our emotions.

What is this Amygdala?

Simply put, the amygdala is a small, almond-shaped part of your brain. It is part of the limbic system, which is the main part of our brain that deals with emotions. The amygdala is very important for our survival, that is, for living. The reason is that it helps us automatically recognize dangers. It also plays a big role in our behavior, emotional control, and learning.

What really happens with the amygdala?

When we talk about the amygdala, the main emotion that comes to mind is fear . It is very important for our survival. Imagine, you see or hear something dangerous. At that time, the amygdala processes that information and learns that it is a danger. Then, if you encounter the same thing again in the future, it activates to make you feel afraid or have a similar feeling.

But research shows that the amygdala is not just limited to fear or anxiety. It contributes to many other things.

• Aggression: This is also related to controlling anger and aggression.
• Learning through rewards and punishments: This is the part that motivates us to do something again when it produces a good result, and to stop doing it when it produces a bad result.
• Using implicit memory: Do you remember how you learned to ride a bike or tie your shoelaces? Now you don't have to think about it, you just do it. Similarly, even if we don't remember how we learned it, it's this implicit memory that helps us remember how to do certain things. The amygdala also helps control it.
• Social communication: The way someone speaks and behaves helps us understand their intentions.
• Parental affection: This is also related to feelings of affection and care for children.
• Emotions associated with memories: When we hear certain smells or songs, we feel emotions associated with old memories, right? The amygdala is what makes that connection.
• Addiction: This also affects learned behaviors associated with addiction to things like drugs.

Where is this in the brain?

The amygdala is located in the temporal lobe of the brain. We actually have two of these parts, one on the right side of the brain and one on the left. If you were to point your finger directly at the temple, which is parallel to your eyes and a little in front of your ears, that's where it would be.

It is located very close to the nerves that carry information from our senses, especially the sense of smell. That's why when we smell certain smells, we immediately recall emotions associated with old memories. It is also connected to the parts of the brain that are responsible for vision and hearing.

What are the conditions that affect the amygdala?

Many conditions that affect the function of the amygdala are classified as mental or neurological diseases. Because changes in brain function directly affect our mental health. To understand these conditions clearly, see the table below.

What is "Amygdala Hijack"?

This is a very interesting concept. Imagine that you are walking down the street and suddenly a car is coming towards you at high speed. Before you even think about it, you jump to the side, right? What happens then?

What your eyes see doesn't have time to go to the thinking parts of your brain and decide, "Oh, this is an accident, I need to jump out of the way now." Instead, the amygdala takes over immediately, sending out emergency signals and getting you to act. Like hijacking a car in an emergency, the amygdala temporarily takes control of your body. This is called an amygdala hijack .

This is very important for saving our lives in times of danger. This is what triggers our "fight-or-flight response." But for someone with conditions like PTSD, this can be a problem. Because then, even if we see something normal, harmless, the amygdala can mistakenly interpret it as a danger and act in this way.

How do we keep our amygdala healthy?

There really are no specific treatments for the amygdala. But we can keep the amygdala healthy by doing things that keep our entire brain healthy.

• Maintain a healthy weight: This is very important to prevent conditions like stroke. You can ask your doctor for advice on this.
• Eat a balanced diet: Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can negatively affect brain function.
• Protect yourself from head injuries: Using safety measures like helmets and seat belts can help prevent brain damage.
• Manage chronic diseases: If you have diseases like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, follow your doctor's instructions exactly .

How to calm the amygdala?

We cannot directly control the amygdala as we wish, but we can control the excessive fear and anxiety that arise from its activity.

• Take care of your mental health: If you are constantly experiencing fear, anxiety, or panic attacks, talk to your doctor about it. They are there to help you, not to judge you.
• Learn how to manage panic attacks: There are ways to help you regain control of your mind during these times. Examples include breathing exercises and grounding techniques.
• Find ways to manage stress and anxiety: Some people turn to counseling. Others meditate, engage in hobbies, or exercise. Find a method that works for you and use it.

The amygdala is like the sentinel of our brain that activates when we see danger. It is essential for protecting our lives. It also helps with things like good emotions, memory, and learning. So understanding this little part is a big help in taking care of our mental health. Then we can enjoy life without unnecessary fear.

amygdala sinhala, brain, emotions, fear, anger, mental health, fight or flight response