The nervous amygdala

The Over-Stimulated Amygdala

The amygdala is a structure located in the mid-brain. It is one of the first weigh stations that information encounters as it is entering our body through the senses. The amygdala is part of the body’s early warning system. It processes information from the standpoint of “How can this hurt me?” It looks for similarities between the current event and previous events that may have resulted in pain. The amygdala is not very discerning. It can find similarities between events that may be quite obscure. When the amygdala becomes too sensitized as a result of repeated trauma or over-stimulation, it begins to see similarities and, thus, threat in many things. It can become so sensitized that it perceives any emotion as threatening.

Tapping to calm the amygdala

Emotional Freedom Techniques or Tapping is a tool that appears to discharge the negative emotion behind bothersome memories. The energy associated with these negative memories may result in a disruption of the flow of energy through the body’s energy system. EFT allows for the systematic, methodical and, above all, kind means of addressing the negative emotional charge that accompanies these emotions. EFT utilizes the Meridian System that was mapped by the Chinese many thousands of years ago. It is the same system used by acupuncturists. Instead of using needles, in EFT we use physical tapping on the meridian points.

More About Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping)

There is more about EFT located on this web site. For a very in-depth article about the amygdala, go to Ashok Gupta’s article on ProHealth.com.

Feel free to message or call me with any questions or to find out if EFT might be a good therapeutic tool for you.

George