Amygdala hijack

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An amygdala hijack is an immediate and overwhelming emotional response that is disproportionate to the actual stimulus because it has triggered a more significant perceived threat. The term was coined by Daniel Goleman in his 1995 book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, and is recognized as a formal academic term within affective neuroscience. The brain consists of two hemispheres, each containing an amygdala—a small, almond-shaped structure located anterior to the hippocampus, near the temporal lobe. The amygdalae play a crucial role in detecting and learning which aspects of our environment are emotionally significant. They are essential for generating emotions, particularly negative emotions such as fear. Amygdala activation often happens when people see a potential threat. This activation helps individuals make decisions based on past related memories.

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