"A "startle response" or "startle reflex" is when people jump at the sound of a loud, unexpected noise. The reflex is generally dependent on cues: it can be made stronger by viewing negativephotographs, such as trafficaccidentvictims; it can be made weaker by positivephotographs, such as happy babies and favorite foods. The part of the brain that causes change in the startle reflex is the amygdala. The amygdala is also involved in forming emotions in response to things an individual sees and hears. For example, humans whose amygdalas are damaged tend to be deficient in their emotional reactivity. In short, the amygdala is involved in both the alteration of the startle reflex and in more general emotional functioning. The amygdala is controlled in part by the brain's dopamine system, the same system that responds to alcohol and also produces feelings of pleasure when good things happen. Scientists believe the ability of the amygdala to react to emotional events is associated with how much dopamine is being released by specialized dopamine neurons."
I, and many others I know are very responsive to our startle reflex. There, like so much in this area, of course is a large spectrum of how sensitive a startle reflex can be.
Whether you were tormented by an older sibling or have severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction.... you might be familiar with this startling response that can be easily stimulated.
Exploring the brain chemistry of people at risk for alcohol disorders
I, and many others I know are very responsive to our startle reflex. There, like so much in this area, of course is a large spectrum of how sensitive a startle reflex can be.
Whether you were tormented by an older sibling or have severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction.... you might be familiar with this startling response that can be easily stimulated.