«Hysterical strength» refers to the remarkable bursts of physical power individuals can exhibit in moments of extreme stress or danger. While real-life examples of such feats are documented, studying this phenomenon in a controlled lab setting is challenging due to ethical concerns. However, neuroscientists draw insights from our understanding of the body’s fight-or-flight response and stress feedback mechanisms to explain how these acts of extraordinary strength occur.
The body’s stress response mechanisms, evolved from ancestral survival instincts, are designed to deal with life-threatening situations like facing predators. In modern times, these mechanisms are often triggered in less dire circumstances, such as receiving distressing news or facing public speaking. This stress response is governed by the autonomic nervous system, which regulates various physiological functions along a continuum from extreme panic to coma.
Between these extremes lie a range of responses to stress, including familiar ones like loss of appetite or insomnia, as well as less common experiences such as hysterical strength. Neuroscientists like Marc Dingman and Andrew Huberman study these responses to gain insights into the complex interplay between the brain and body during moments of intense stress.
Understanding hysterical strength and the fight-or-flight response
Hysterical strength refers to extraordinary displays of physical power that occur in high-stress situations, surpassing what individuals could typically produce under normal circumstances. These feats often occur in life-threatening situations such as escaping danger, protecting others, or confronting emergencies like natural disasters.
In such moments, the brain triggers a complex response involving various structures and neurotransmitters, leading to the release of hormones that enhance muscle capacity and increase blood flow to critical body parts. Energy typically used for other bodily functions is redirected to support immediate survival needs, such as fighting or fleeing.
The body’s response to stress involves prioritizing survival over other functions like digestion or reproduction. This heightened state of arousal allows individuals to process information more rapidly, enabling them to make split-second decisions and take decisive action.
During moments of extreme stress, individuals may access a greater portion of their muscle strength than usual, tapping into reserves that are typically untapped. While there are built-in safeguards to prevent muscle overload, these safeguards can be overridden in emergencies, allowing for the recruitment of the largest and fastest muscle fibers needed for explosive force and power.
Overall, hysterical strength demonstrates the remarkable capabilities of the human body under duress, showcasing the intricate interplay between the brain, hormones, and muscles in times of crisis.
The part hormones play
Hormones play a crucial role in the body’s response to stress, particularly in activating the fight-or-flight response. This response is initiated in the amygdala, a brain structure involved in processing emotional experiences, which sends distress signals to the hypothalamus.
The hypothalamus serves as a command center for the autonomic nervous system, which consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. These systems regulate various involuntary bodily functions, including cardiovascular and respiratory performance, as well as the constriction and dilation of blood vessels and airways.
When the stress response is triggered, neurotransmitters are released from neurons throughout the body, signaling the adrenal glands to release hormones such as adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). These hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure, and airway diameter, while redirecting blood flow to major muscle groups.
Additionally, the release of hormones heightens sensory perception, improving the ability to process information from touch, sight, and sound. Adrenaline, in particular, can temporarily reduce pain sensation by inhibiting pain signaling pathways in the brain and spinal cord, while endorphins act as natural painkillers.
In moments of extreme stress, the suppression of pain feedback pathways by these hormones allows individuals to exert greater physical effort without being hindered by pain signals. This can lead to instances of hysterical strength, where individuals are able to perform extraordinary feats of physical strength and endurance to protect themselves or others from harm.
Stress responses affect all
Stress responses, mediated by hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, occur on a continuum and can vary in intensity depending on the situation. While extreme fight-or-flight responses are crucial for survival in emergencies, smaller quantities of stress hormones are released in more ordinary circumstances.
Adrenaline, for example, is produced whenever there is stress, whether it’s during a competition, an important presentation, a fight, or when the body is dealing with illness or infection. These stress responses are part of the body’s natural defense mechanism, helping individuals to cope with challenges and threats.
However, individuals who experience stress more frequently, such as those in demanding jobs or with chronic sleep deprivation, may activate the stress system more often and to a greater degree. This can lead to being «tired and wired for stress,» where the body is constantly in a heightened state of alertness.
On the other end of the continuum, extreme endurance or power athletes may also activate the stress system for prolonged periods during intense training sessions. While short-term activation of the stress response can have benefits, such as increased focus and energy, chronic stress and the continuous release of stress hormones can have detrimental effects on health.
Excess levels of stress hormones can lead to a range of health issues, including high blood pressure, weakened immune function, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, while stress responses are a natural and necessary part of life, it’s important to manage stress effectively to prevent long-term negative consequences.
The consequences of experiencing extreme stress
Chronic stress, characterized by sustained higher releases of stress hormones like adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol, can have significant negative effects on the body’s organs and systems. This can lead to a range of adverse health outcomes, including high blood pressure, sleep disorders, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Moreover, stress can impact memory both in the short term and long term. While acute stress may enhance memory formation in the short term, chronic stress can impair memory function over time. The physiological responses associated with extreme stress, such as those seen in instances of hysterical strength or fighting and fleeing, can be particularly dangerous. These responses remove safety limits and can pose significant risks to health and well-being.
The release of excessive adrenaline, even in the absence of an actual threat, can cause symptoms such as dizziness, insomnia, nervousness, and, in severe cases, heart damage. Furthermore, traumatic experiences associated with extreme stress responses can result in conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leading to long-lasting emotional and psychological effects.
Deactivating the stress response and recovering from stressful experiences can take much longer than the initial activation. Some individuals may continue to experience emotional distress, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances even after the stressful event has passed.
In summary, while the body’s stress response is a natural and adaptive mechanism, excessive or chronic stress can have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. Learning to manage stress effectively is essential for maintaining overall well-being and quality of life.