#brain #nervoussystemhealth The amygdalae (there are actually two) form emotional memories. The amygdala does not have a sense of time or space. Memories are not linked to specific times, such as a childhood memory. It is not always clear what the triggers are for these "body" memories. Implicit memories. The amygdala is an almond-shaped structure located deep within the medial temporal lobes. It is a critical component of the [[limbic system]] and is involved in the processing of emotions, particularly fear and anxiety. The amygdala is responsible for detecting emotionally salient stimuli and plays a key role in forming emotional memories, fear conditioning, and the fight-or-flight response. The amygdala is an almond shaped mass of nuclei located deep within the temporal lobe of the [brain](Brain Structure). It is the heart of the emotional system. It processes and interprets all sensory data and is involved in many of our emotions and motivations, particularly those that are related to survival, i.e. fight or flight These emotional memories are very efficient, so emotions end up being the signal to our body and mind that something is happening that is significant to the body's wellbeing. Surprising facts about the amygdalae: 1. There are two amygdalae: The amygdala is not a single structure but rather a pair of almond-shaped structures located deep within the medial temporal lobes of the brain. Each hemisphere of the brain has its own amygdala. 2. Size differences: Research has shown that the size of the amygdala can vary between individuals. Some studies suggest that people with larger amygdalae may be better at recognizing emotional facial expressions, while others have found a correlation between amygdala size and the strength of social networks. 3. Lateralization of function: Although both amygdalae are involved in emotional processing, they might have different functional specializations. Some studies suggest that the right amygdala is more involved in processing negative emotions like fear and sadness, while the left amygdala is more involved in processing positive emotions. 4. Role in decision-making: The amygdala is not just involved in emotional processing; it also plays a role in decision-making. It helps assess potential rewards and punishments of an action and contributes to the formation of emotional memories that can guide future decisions. 5. Impact on perception: The amygdala can modulate the way we perceive sensory information. It can influence our attention and enhance the processing of emotionally salient stimuli, such as threatening faces or voices, making them more easily detectable. 6. Amygdala hijack: The term "amygdala hijack" was coined by psychologist Daniel Goleman to describe a situation in which the amygdala reacts to a perceived threat before the higher cognitive centers of the brain can fully process the information. This can result in an emotional, sometimes irrational, response, rather than a more measured, rational response. 7. Plasticity and stress: The amygdala can change its structure and function in response to stress and trauma. Chronic stress or traumatic experiences can lead to an increase in amygdala volume, which may contribute to heightened fear and anxiety responses. 8. Role in social interaction: The amygdala plays a vital role in processing social cues and understanding the emotions of others. It contributes to the development of empathy and the ability to "read" facial expressions and nonverbal communication. 9.