The strange reaction of the brain and body when you pull the trigger

You look down at the gun, aim, exhale slowly and pull the trigger. Immediately, a series of events took place: the light flared up, the body was pulled back, a loud explosion and a scent of gunpowder.

The Pew Research Center conducted a survey with nearly 4,000 people in 2017, they noted that about 72% of adults in the US have used guns. Thus, most Americans are familiar with this experience - including both emotional and emotional responses.

Kevin Fleming - a neuroscientist at Norwich University (a military school), who has studied the impact of shooting on the psychology of shooters for more than 25 years, said: "The purpose of these Shooting training is about helping people overcome these feelings, whether it's a probationary police officer or a military officer. "

The experience in each shot will be different for each person, especially when there is a real danger, but below are some common reactions that shooting causes the brain and body.

Acute stress response

Shooting a gun can startle people. People who experience this for the first time often have an acute stress response. The body will automatically generate many reactions because it sees itself being threatened.

The brain releases cortisol, adrenaline and other hormones like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This can make new people feel scared, worried, or want to cause trouble.

Shooting a gun can startle people.(Photo: Shutterstock).

'To shoot a bullet, you stand on the ground and use weapons to help you. This is part of 'fighting'. During practice, the goal is only made of paper, but some people see it as an enemy . The trigger is an act of aggression , "said Fleming.

Even though they practiced firing thousands of times, even experienced gunmen had to try to control the body's reaction after every shot."The training is designed with the main purpose of ignoring those feelings. But I don't think it will completely disappear."

Heart rate, blood pressure and breathing increased

An acute stress response helps us survive in extreme situations, a sudden increase in hormone levels also triggers a series of uncontrollable reactions.

"This is the legacy that we inherited from primates. So, whenever you intend to flee or fight, breathe faster to get enough oxygen to supply blood and oxygen to parts. different in the body, "said Fleming.

Because at that time, the heart began to race, stomach cramps, blood pressure skyrocketed and oxygen gradually moved to the muscles.

Mental focus

When pulling the trigger, the brain is also affected by the rush of blood and nerve chemicals. The brain becomes more focused and can easily analyze situations, time seems to drift slower (although the truth is not so).

The hands of the liver are sweating and the pupils are dilated

Sweating helps you get better information. And the eyes are wide open so you can see more things, especially in the dark.

The digestive system stops working

When you pull the trigger, your body will temporarily stop processing food.

When you pull the trigger, your body will temporarily stop processing food.'Your stomach may have problems if you miss too much. You will even have diarrhea or problems with urination, ' Fleming said.

These reactions do not usually occur at the same time, but usually it takes place before the brain is aware of it, and then the bullet is fired.

After the danger is over, the nervous system responds by releasing all chemicals to bring the body back to its normal state. Some other parts of the body take longer to recover. After this temporary breakdown, the body will feel strongly excited, for some people it feels like getting a 'reward'.

"The rise of serotonin will make you feel comfortable. There are many people who don't like to be scared, but for some people this feeling gives them excitement , " Fleming said. However, Fleming noted that most of the professional gunmen he met - mostly police officers or military officers, were not addicted to this feeling.

"Maybe some people feel nervous when they get close to the goal. But most of the experts I met are not interested in the extremes caused by the trigger," he said.