FEAR HOW
A F F E C T S YO U R I M M U N E SYS T E M WORDS BY ANN Y.
W
hat do you know about your im-
Memory, Brain and Mental Health: Too much fear isn’t
mune system and fear? Fear is a
harmful only to your body but also your brain. It can
human emotion sparked by the
hinder the formation of long-term memories and cause
perception of danger; it’s a basic
damage to particular sections of the brain, which might
survival system that tells our bodies to fight or flight
disrupt your memory. When long-term fear might lead
when we’re in danger. As human beings, fear can help
to other repercussions such as weariness, sadness
us be safe, but we don’t know that constant fear can lead
and PTSD, your mental health will be jeopardized. It
to a weaker immune system. Fear can have harmful effects in all parts of our lives and even threaten the balance of our immune systems if we live in continual fear, mainly from physical hazards in our environment or the threats we perceive.
ARE YOU L IVIN G UN DE R CON STANT F E A R? Living under continual fear has major health implications. Below are some of the health consequences of chronic fear: Your Body: Fear wreaks havoc on our immune systems, resulting in cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders like ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, and reduced reproductive potential. It hastens the aging process.
22
can have a detrimental impact on our thinking and decision-making, making us more vulnerable to powerful emotions and impulsive behaviors.
FE A R ’ S E FFE C T O N TH E I M M U NE SYS TE M We already know that fear has the advantage of assisting us in preparing to react to dangers. But when in chronic fear, our bodies generate hormones that can slow or shut down functions that are necessary for survival, such as our digestive system. According to Dr. Tracey Stiles, the downside of fear is that it can reduce your immune response, leading to an immune system dysfunction is one of the potential consequences of chronic fear.
