00:00 Introduction to the Amygdala
01:35 Emotions and Social Behavior
02:37 The Impact of Stress on the Amygdala
04:43 Strategies for Calming the Amygdala
The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure of cells located in the temporal lobes on both sides of the brain, just above the hippocampus and below the frontal lobes. It is part of the limbic system, a group of brain structures involved in processing emotions, motivation, and memory.
The amygdala's primary function is processing and responding to emotionally charged events and regulating social and emotional behavior, including the fear response. It receives input from various senses, such as sight, hearing, and touch, and helps to identify and respond to emotionally charged stimuli.
The amygdala is also involved in the consolidation (e.g., storage) of memories, especially emotional ones, and plays a role in triggering memories during the retrieval process. Finally, the amygdala is also involved in the stress response.
The amygdala plays a crucial role in our emotional, social, and professional lives. Therefore, understanding its functions and how to maintain its health is vital for mental and emotional wellness as well as being successful in life.
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