What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
It is the autopilot of the human body.
It takes care of everything we don't take care of, like:
- it allows the heart to beat
- the lungs to breathe
- for the digestive system to do its job automatically.
No need to think about it, it does it itself like a grown-up!
But why does it do this?
Its main purpose is to keep us alive.
How does it do it?
It permanently scans our environment, our external and internal world, always on guard, in order to check if we are safe. Or if we are in danger.
What are its subdivisions?
Its subdivisions are:
- the sympathetic nervous system
- the parasympathetic nervous system
- the enteric nervous system (which regulates the digestive system).
The sympathetic nervous system is a mobilization system.
In response to stress, it orchestrates the so-called fight or flight response which results in: a dilation of the bronchi, an acceleration of cardiac and respiratory activity, an increase in blood pressure, a dilation of the pupils, an increase in sweating etc.
The parasympathetic nervous system is a resting system of the body.
When it activates, conversely, it sends a relaxation response.
It induces a general slowdown of the body's functions. Heart rate and respiratory activity are slowed and blood pressure decreases.
When a danger of death is detected and we consider that we are no match for the enemy, to fight and flee, the dorsal branch of the parasympathetic system is activated: the body reacts by playing dead to discourage the assailant.
According to TPV, these processes escape conscious perception: the nervous system detects danger and safety signals in the environment, without the conscious parts of the brain being involved.
Do you have questions ?
To your regulated nervous system!
