How does anger affect the brain and body?

Anger is an emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. Contrary to some thinking, anger isn’t necessarily a negative occurrence. Emotions are communication, clues we give ourselves and others about where we stand with things, what is important to us, or where our boundaries may be. For example, you might feel a sense of anger when someone intrudes on your personal life with certain types of questions – a clear sign that you have a boundary being violated that may need to be communicated or reinforced.

Aggression, which can result from anger, is the part typically linked with the downside of anger. Slamming doors, breaking things, physical violence, or lashing out at those close to you are aggressive acts rooted in anger, but not anger itself. How a person handles anger is a key component of whether or not it is helpful or harmful.

Anger, like all other emotions, has a physiological response in the body. Like the human body's response to stress or a threat, anger triggers what most people know as the fight or flight response. This triggers a series of responses in the brain and body. The brain triggers the release of hormones that prompt responses in the body. Cortisol, famous as ‘the stress hormone is released. The adrenal glands begin to produce adrenaline.

The body reacts to these increased hormones with raised blood pressure, increased heart rate, and faster breathing. Each of these is designed to prepare the body to fight, faint, flee, or freeze in the face of a threat. These reactions send blood to larger muscle groups, cause oxygen to move more quickly through the body, and heighten the senses. The response of raised blood pressure is of particular concern for people who already have an existing blood pressure problem or cardiovascular health issues.

Prolonged anger or difficulty managing the response can result in exacerbated underlying health conditions. Fatigued and tightened muscles, tension headaches, and more can result from anger. Managing anger and stress are important to overall health and wellness. If you’re struggling with anger or having difficulty managing stress, talking with a therapist can be very helpful.