What causes the feeling of having your “blood boil” when you’re angry?
In: Biology
Our heart rate increases, along with arterial tension and testosterone production. Our stress hormone cortisol decreases. Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is released and triggers muscle contractions and stimulates the secretion off other hormones. Basically anger triggers the fight or flight response of the body (other emotions such as fear can do this as well). The fight or flight response triggers the brain to shunt blood away from the digestive system and pump it toward the muscles for exertion such as fighting or running. This triggers the cardiovascular system to react, increasing the blood pressure, heart rate and respirations, pupils dilate, we perspire, adrenaline is release, our body temperature rises. This occurs until the “threat” or what is causing us to feel anger is gone.
That’s just how I understood it through nursing school. Maybe a doc can further explain.
Latest Answers