The Science Behind Anger

As we grow older and older, there are more and more instances in which we get angry as a response to the situations life throws us. Surprisingly, anger wasn’t always initially present within us. Instead, it’s been something that was a product of evolution.

It is caused by three main aspects: when expectations are not fulfilled, when certain things come across as threats, and when we want to hide other emotions. Studies have also shown that genetics play a part in anger as well; specifically, it has been shown that mutations in the DARPP-32 affect anger levels.

And as with other emotions, the amygdala regulates anger. A stimulus, which would be one of the three aspects mentioned above, would be sent to the amygdala, and this would cause it to stimulate the hypothalamus. Anger also has a relation to the brain’s fight or flight response, because the main purpose of the adrenaline rush caused by anger is to prepare us to react to the situation which caused our ill emotions in the first place.

Along with adrenaline, epinephrine and norepinephrine are two other main hormones that spike when one is angry. These hormones are what cause the typical reactions to anger such as high blood pressure, increased body temperature, and faster heart rate.

Once one is angry, it is hard to regulate it. Our brain regulates anger, as well as other emotions, in the prefrontal cortex, which is the region that controls anger. This part of the brain gives us the ability to make rational judgement instead of listening to our emotions, and in this case, falling into the sense of rage. There are also physical practices which we can carry out in order to calm down anger, such as breathing slowly, which consciously lowers your heart rate.

There have also been studies regarding the potential of anger to result in cell death. Although there isn’t anything confirmed, it has been shown that anger triggers the release of cortisol, and this increase of cortisol levels causes the cells to increase their intake of calcium, which will cause nerve cells to fire more than they need to. This heightened firing of nerve cells can result in cell death, however, it varies from person to person and not enough research has been done on the subject.

Nonetheless, everyone experiences anger, and it is not a malicious emotion. Anger can be a positive emotion if it is in normal amounts.

Anger Detection in the Brain

Picture Source: psychcentral.com