Palms sweating, heart racing, knees buckling, these are feelings that most people dread. Whether it be the sensation some experience when the lights are turned off in a room, or from looking down a steep drop of a rollercoaster, or staring up into the eyes of a big black spider, everyone experiences fear. Fear is a feeling that most people do not enjoy, so why do humans experience fear? Fear can provoke determination but can also be debilitating. No matter how fear affects the individual, conquering a fear always takes courage and hard work.

Fear is a natural human emotion instilled in our brains to protect us from danger and potential threats. Being afraid of the dark is an instinct that protects against potential threats that could be lurking in the night.

Due to external experiences, for instance scary movies that create unrealistic perceptions of being alone in the dark, it is understandable that this is one of the more common fears, especially among children. Sometimes fears grow to be irrational, which can contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle.

When a fear is so strong that it begins to affect your daily life, it is no longer a fear but a phobia. Phobias range from Nyctophobia, fear of the dark, to Hylophobia, fear of trees. Depending on how extreme the phobia is, they can be treated through therapy and various types of medication. No matter how outrageous the fear may seem, it can consume an individual and stick with them throughout their lives.

According to an article from Effective Mind Control, an organization focused on informing individuals about fear, fear is triggered by the amygdala, an organ in the limbic system within the brain that detects possibilities of danger. The amygdala generates a sense of fear that cause an avoidance of activities that could be threatening. Memories or history of trauma can also trigger fear. Someone bit by a dog as a child may still experience terror and pain years later causing a long term fear of dogs. The brain identifies such events as threatening and triggers fear to be imprinted into neurological paths that last a lifetime.

Although it is commonly suggested that fear is debilitating, it can also motivate people. Fear can drive people to conquer something scary. To push past every fearful emotion holding someone back is a feat that many cannot accomplish. Fully conquering a fear takes time, exposure and is not always successful. Some people choose to conquer their fears for the adrenaline rush.

Thrill seekers, or adrenaline junkies, are individuals who frequently indulge in the rush of adrenaline from participating in risky adventures. At its peak, fear causes every bodily emotion to be in overdrive as its only goal is survival; many may reference this experience to feeling alive.

“It’s like having superpowers for a very brief time,” Margaret King, Ph.D. and director of the Center for Cultural Studies and Analysis in Philadelphia said.

Fear is a necessary biological emotion within the human body that is meant to protect us. Although in many cases fear protects us, individuals react in various ways to the chemical brain reaction. In some cases fear can be the most crippling emotion, however, it can also be the force that encourages an individual to push themselves to become more developed. The complexity of this emotion can cause an extended range of emotion in individuals, and whether it is paralyzing or electrifying, fear pushes limits of human boundaries.

Steps to conquer your fears

1. Name and understand your fear.

Identify your fear, note when it began, what the cause is (if there is one) and recognize that fears are normal.

2. Educate yourself

Research your fear and learn everything you can about it to become more comfortable with the concept.

3. Take action

In order to get over your fears, you must be willing to make a plan to attempt to conquer the fear.

4. Practice, practice, practice

Execute your plan and incorporate it into your daily schedule to transform that fear into an adventure.

10 most common fears:

Public Speaking

Heights

Bugs

Drowning

Blood/Needles

Claustrophobia

Flying

Strangers

Zombies

Darkness