Amygdala: The amygdala

The amygdala , although typically associated with fear, is an extremely complex region of the brain that influences not only emotions, but also thought and behavior. The amygdala is a brain region that processes emotions, especially fear, and triggers the fight or flight response. Learn how the amygdala can be damaged, overactive, or calmed by therapy and neuroplasticity. The amygdala is a brain structure that regulates emotions, memory, and social behavior. Learn about its role in fear, aggression, anxiety, stress, mental health, and addiction, and how it can be hijacked by strong stimuli. The amygdala does not act alone; it works within a vast network of brain regions, including the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and brainstem. Yet its special role is the rapid detection of emotionally salient information — especially threats — and the initiation of responses that can mean the difference between life and death.