Amygdala hijack 

is a term used to describe a situation where your emotional brain (the amygdala) takes control and overrides your rational thinking brain (the prefrontal cortex).

The term was popularised by psychologist Daniel Coleman.

How Does It Happen?

Your brain processes information through two main pathways:

1 Fast Path (Emotional Route)

Thalamus → Amygdala

• Very quick

• Triggers an immediate emotional reaction

• No detailed thinking involved

2 Slow Path (Thinking Route)

Thalamus → Cortex → Amygdala

• Slower

• Analyzes the situation logically

• Produces a thoughtful response

During an amygdala hijack, the fast emotional route takes over before the thinking brain can evaluate the situation.

 Examples

• You explode in anger after someone criticises you publicly.

• You panic instantly when you hear a loud noise.

• You say something hurtful in the heat of the moment and regret it later.

Afterward, people often say:

“I don’t know why I reacted like that.”

 What Happens in the Body?

• Adrenaline is released

• Heart rate increases

• Breathing becomes faster

• Muscles tense up

• Clear thinking decreases

This is the classic fight-or-flight response.

Signs of an Amygdala Hijack

• Intense emotional reaction

• Acting before thinking

• Difficulty listening or reasoning

• Regret after calming down

• Emotional reaction lasts about 15–20 minutes

How to Manage It

• Pause and take deep breaths

• Count to 10 before responding

• Step away from the situation

• Practice mindfulness or meditation

• Get adequate sleep

• Build emotional awareness

Learning to manage it is a key part of developing emotional intelligence which  helps us respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively. 

Emotional intelligence involves recognising our emotions, understanding their impact, and controlling how we express them. 

When we pause, reflect, and choose our response carefully especially in stressful situations we strengthen self-awareness and self-control.

Over time, this ability improves our relationships, decision-making, and overall personal growth