Neuroscience of Anxiety 

"I didn't realize how bad I felt until I started getting treatment." That... Yeah, I can relate to that something fierce. Even just admitting to myself that I have a problem's been really helpful. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for explaining this stuff.

Having Anxiety is no joke. People usually don't understand. Thanks for the video!

I'm under treatment with SSRI's because I'm a very anxious person. Some things that happened to me had a stronger impact than they usually have on other people, and I'm also a bit paranoid. I started with the medication two weeks ago so it shouldn't have made effect yet but starting the treatment had a really positive impact on me. I feel like "I'm working for me, to feel better" and that's awesome. Thank you for letting people know your experience, is good to talk about this to finish the stigma that therapies and psychiatry in general do have. Greetings! :)

"I realized that the stress I was having was not just regular grad school stress" =story of my life. I used to think that I was just experiencing the normal stress of school and life and that everyone was going through what I was going through. But then I realized that it wasn't normal for me to shaking, crying, and sweating everyday and that I was getting worked up over things I out of my control

I have GAD too and most of the time my anxiety is either through the roof or I'm completely unmotivated and lowkey depressed...

Thank you for being so brave. I’ve dealt with gad for over a decade and it has not been easy. God bless you for this video. I know it’s helping a lot of people.

Gosh I love this! I was diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and change disorder (Can't remember the official name). This was extremely helpful. Made simple without talking down- and just really good stuff. Thank you a million for doing this.

I did it with Weedborn CBD products!

I have gad and depression it’s horrible. I felt like I was in this deep dark hole and I wasn’t ever able to get out. I couldn’t see it ever getting better. My journey and battle is no where near over but it’s so much better then when i started. I’m hopeful for the future and I know I can overcome this. I want others to know that even though everyone tells you it will get better and you just can’t seem to believe it, it honestly does. It will even if it takes you years it will. Don’t give up with your battle yet. Keep going try to hold onto the tiny milestones you achieve. Think about the things you can do now that you couldn’t a month ago even if it’s just “I managed to talk about it a bit”. Keep going don’t give it up you will get there you Honestly will just trust me and believe in yourself. You will get there as long as you preserve and believe and take the steps to achieve it.

I find it interesting to look back at my childhood and even infancy (through others' recollection) and look for signs of my mental "quirks". Its nice to realize I didnt screw myself up and parts of this have always just been who I am. Part of being human. Helps me embrace it rather than feeling like it is something wrong with me. Once you accept it you can learn to better control it.

Good for you, Alie! It really sucks that a lot of smart people have to deal with issues like these. Worrying about pointless shit takes up a lot of space inside where you should be thinking about cool stuff like astrocytes and glia cells! :)

Idea: could you guys do a similar video about depression? I'd like to understand more about brain chemicals and depression.

This was awesome. It would be great to get some understanding of how anxiety/depression impacts memory

I totally love this video, especially the way you make the topic seem much lighter and easier to understand while conveying all of the important topics across. Anxiety and learning about it will make it much easier to understand why or how it happens - which can be a relief! Thank you so much for these videos, I admire your narration. You are awesome just like neuroscience!!

Please do a video on the "newer" science involving the gut brain connection. Scientist are finding out that gut health may be the underlying cause for the majority of people suffering with Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. The brain simply takes it's instructions from the gut microbiome via the Vagus Nerve. The gut makes up to 90% of serotonin which is the feel good hormone!

This video was excellent, it helped me better understand this week's content in my psychopharmacology course. Thank you for your transparency and vulnerability with us, I hope you are doing well wherever you are in life!

A month ago my daughter (who has anxiety) got a SPECT scan of her brain and it showed an overactive thalamus and underactive prefrontal cortex. This video tied those two pieces together for me. Now I understand why the doctor prescribed something to calm the thalamus and improve her PFC. THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!

Thanks for this video! I can't believe I didn't come it before! I experienced weird panic episodes along with heart palpitations for years. I thought I was losing my mind - while my family at the time was not very helpful - they kept saying things like "you need to calm down" "why do you overreact" "everyone gets stressed, just learn to control your emotions." Turns out - I have Graves disease, where the overproduction of thyroid hormones can often result in things like panic attacks and heart palpitations. It felt so good to finally know what I felt wasn't normal and that it's not always possible to "just control your emotions."

Thank you for this great video. I got DX with GAD about 40 years ago and it affected and still affects me in a big way. Much of my family had told me I just need to pull it together most of my life. Understanding how the brain works in GAD really helps. Thank you!

Hi Alie - Thank you very much. This is a wonderful explanation. I just subscribed to your channel and will be sharing it with many of the people from all over the world that I mentor. Right now, there is a young woman in Indonesia who really needs to see this. Keep up the great work!

Thank you for uploading this video! Not only was it cool to learn about the physiological effects that GAD has on the brain in general, it was really encouraging for me to see someone else in higher education who also is struggling with a disorder. I look forward to learning about major depression and bipolar disorder from your perspectives. Thank you again!

Thank you for this video. As a clinical counsellor it is always very helpful to have great videos like this to show clients.

Great explanation of a very troubling set of problems. Also, great necklace!

I honestly thought feeling ‘not on top of my to do list’ all the time to the point where I break down was normal....

I’m usually stressed and have a lot of anxiety when i’m joining a new sports team, talking to new people and school presentations, presentations are the worst for me, my insides start shaking and i feel like i’m about to pass out. I’m in grade 7.

Awesome! Short straight to the point, full of precious info and gratefully taught. Thanks for sharing

This video was really interesting :) I struggle with anxiety so it was good to know a bit more about it. ps love your necklace :)

Thanks for this great video. I have 3 teenage kids with autism, so keeping anxiety down is a daily chore for us as parents.

While demonstrating the beauty of science and creating a platform to distill complex information into wonderful opportunities for the lay public to learn, the perspective in this video is so deeply rooted in conventional science that it ignores the vast superiority of eastern introspective inquiry revealing a deeper truth about anxiety.

I have been pondering the nature of anxiety. It is a common human emotion. The best way I can describe it, is that people feel anxious when they are concerned about some future event or outcome which has not happened yet and there might be uncertainty as to what will happen in the future. Anxiety is an unpleasant feeling which usually involves some amount of worry. The way I perceive it, anxiety is a kind of fear. Other ways to describe anxiety is that it's a kind of fear which concerns the future. But, there are also related emotions such as dread and worry. It seems that people are most anxious when they have to make a decision, which might turn out to be the wrong one. For example, some people may feel anxious about choosing what career path to pursue in life.

Your video help me so much. I took anxiety as an internship topic and I realize that anxiety has very few resources especially in terms of its physiological functioning. your video is really clear.

SAD here, what usually happened to me was that I'd feel anxious and not even know why, I just knew that it was related to conversations because that's when I'd feel it the most. The amygdala was telling my body to be stressed in social situations, then my damaged or badly trained orbital prefrontal cortexes filled in the blanks with negative social concepts. Which then my consciousness would pick up as a fact since the emotions feel very real. I can see myself training my orbital prefrontal cortex to be more accurate with CBT and I probably could also go back to ssri's to silence a bit the amygdala and bust up a bit the serotonergic neurons. But first I must find why, cause without a strong enough reason why I'm not putting myself out there.

This is really helpful!! btw, I Love your solar system necklace!

Can’t believe cat training videos got me here! In love with all four of you! Please plan a video around depersonalisation and derealisation....!

I'm going through a crisis of GAD and your video helped me with some hope. Thank you!

Hello, I am currently neuroscientifically looking into the Wim Hof Method, an approach including gradual cold exposure and a breathing technique that induces a strong temporary stress response. The cold exposure was shown to greatly increase Norepinephrine levels (2-5 fold) which means one can possibly substitute noradrenaline uptake inhibitors with cold showers (also improving the cardiovascular system), so the body simply has more noradrenaline available naturally. Regarding serotonine there are effects, too, but not very well understood yet. A Practice I follow myself is to eat food rich in L-Tryptophane on empty stomach (in the morning, basically grinded amaranth and quinoa seeds with a big glass of water) so this particular protein may cross the blood brain barrier while not having any competing other proteins around, it will then be turned into serotonine and melatonine after serotonine is sufficiently supplied, enhancing mood, perceived energy and sleep. Again I find it better to improve the natural supply of the neurotransmitter instead of manipulating it with drugs. Another way of increasing serotonine is exhaustive cardio sports, because it makes the body draw proteins from the blood to the muscles so again L-Tryptophane may cross the blood brain barrier unhindered (known as the "runnter's high"). Sidenote: the breathing technique addressed boosts the immune system by inducing as much adrenaline as a bungee jump while being fully relaxed and attenuates the innate immune response, greatly reducing any unnecessary inflammation throughout the body. If you are interested in any more details feel free to message me. I can supply you with interesting peer reviewed publications on the matter. Regards, Hannes Zedel (dashannes@gmail.com)

This is a great video - thank you for putting it up. I would like to clarify something about panic disorder though. While what you are saying is appropriate according to the current DSM-5 criteria of panic disorder, the DSM-5 in my very humble opinion is flawed and too broad on this subject. The three psychological criteria (and yes, notice there are only 3 non-physical criteria) are shaky at best. Derealization is probably due to lack of oxygen to the brain, feeling out of control is actually a pretty accurate assessment as your sympathetic nervous system is going haywire and you, in fact, don't have control over it, and lastly, the fear of dying. This is not a fear or a thought - although it might lead you to a fear or thought - but rather a 'sense' - as in when you touch a stove burner you FEEL hot you don't THINK it is hot, and is not limited to panic disorder. It is also not unusual in people having heart attacks and going into shock. Panic disorder - along with many other shades of anxiety disorders - need to be viewed as a psychoneuroendocrine issue. According to Ledoux, the pathways in the brain that are drive emotional 'feelings' of fear and the pathways that drive the sympathetic nervous system reactions are related but not identical and can even operate independently. People can have panic attacks without feeling any sort of anxiety. The same is true for takotsubo cardiomyopathy, paroxysmal hypertention (Pages syndrome, pseudopheochromocytoma), chest pains (artery spasm). And conversely, people can feel acute anxiety without having these physiological reactions. In addition, all of these issues have pretty eye-opening long term cardiovascular comorbidities. 'Emotions' are undeniably important factors in these disorders, but what part of the brain precisely is telling the body to soak itself in catecholamines? Is this something we can reasonably expect the conscious parts of our brain to prevent? I really wish you good luck in your research and studies - the world needs you! And btw, as regards catecholamines - don't forget dopamine. It's a little tricky to measure but a recent study has shown it to be toxic to H9C2 cardiac cells and keeps popping up in these stress/anxiety related health problems.

Thank God for medication

Anxiety is the constant sequential exchange between two emotions, they being fear and worry. Fear raises the metabolism and then worry lowers it to enable thinking and reasoning. Then as the person thinks they may again perceive the danger in the problem, which again triggers the fight or flight response (fear). Experiencing the danger element they are again moved to try and find a resolution to the problem so they move to worry. And this continues cycling back and forward. This might be visible in MRI or FMRI but you will need to talk to the patient and observe their reactions.

sometimes i just want to give up! it really makes me tired. I'm still doing stuff! but new intens stuff can make me really sick(like getting a new job). mabye its time for medication after 5 years without it, i'm not sure.

You are a 👍 teacher and thank you for being so open about your own journey. Congratulations to you on being a grad student and I’m sure you’re going to be super successful and inspirational!

Love that I found a video on what exactly is happening in our brain. I was expecting a few natural suggestions to calming our brains down a bit lol but I definitely enjoyed the education and point of view! 🙂

Psychiatrist Here. Excellent video; I wish you had mentioned the definition of anxiety based on DSM V.

Great video, nicely presented, very informative, deserves many more viewers and subscribers. Good Job! Thanks!

Can you briefly explain why blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine (which you said is related to alertness, attention, and action readiness) help anxiety? It seems counterintuitive to me. Thanks!

BTW love the necklace, which looks like a little solar system. I also noticed Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" in the background. I devoured that book as a kid.

I created my own treatment plan, I learned the way of flow, i learned to breathe properly, to focus, to redirect my attention. The old method my brain would run simulations on frivolous things, i learned to master my thoughts, through daily practice, I use the basic properties of the anxious state to problem solve for me while i am in the flow, in a watcher/objective type of perspective, unattached but present...

this was great! would love to hear more about ptsd! that last part of the video was super interesting! the whole video was! great job!

I think I have this condition it's paralyzing. I've got no help with this .

This is really good stuff. You have a new subscriber!

thanks I have GAD since three years caused by a medical condition, but I take lyrica which is in the EU also a first line treatment but not officially in the US, it helps much better with psychosomatic problems, like cold/hot flushes, muscle pain, throat problems or tinnitus

Prescription drugs, CBD, and psychedelics are the "popular choice" for anxiety. Most of the data I have seen shows that daily exercise is more effective in the long term than the medications mentioned. Unfortunately, it is not as profitable so no reason to market it. It is worth a try for anyone with anxiety, make exercise part of your day even if it is just walking for 30 minutes. Some type of cardio is best. This helps create a balance in the brain naturally. Humans are animals that need to exercise for the brain to function properly.

Alie is gorgeous . I had pituitary adenoma . Developed more severe diabetes insipidus post resection but noticed anxiety like episodes before diagnosis and I now have them daily. Interestingly enough peoples faces triggers it or sitting down to eat at a restaurant or waiting in line. My theory has been that my hypothalamus was damaged by the macroadenoma because I now am certain had mild diabetes insipidus (vasopressin deficiency ) 2-3 year years prior to being diagnosed. Precursor to my episodes is feeling a warm numbness similar to when they are putting you under for surgery that starts or matches throughout the body.

Neuroscientist here too! Great video! I like your style!!

It takes me 4x as long to watch because I keep trailing off and having to go back! Geez. Thanks for this.

SSRIs never did squat for me. I had extreme general anxiety disorder and Buspar was the only thing that completely erased my anxiety and gave me total access to my prefrontal cortex. My problem solving, speech patterns, trait empathy, etc all went through the roof! Unfortunately, I developed a rare reaction to Buspar, peripheral neuropathy, and do I quit taking it.

I have anxiety and feeling that I have brain aneurysm due to the blood flow I'm feeling or whatever it is : ( please tell me this is normal when you have health anxiety : (

Great video on anxiety, stay safe.

You are absolutely clear and wonderful! I am elated about your diagnosis and corrective action! So many people think that anxiety is normal everyday.

Better to take 5HTP and L-Theanie together for the same benefits without any side effects and you can buy them over the counter. They work great!

This was very helpful. Wow. It helped me to understand things like why I had my panic attack a few weeks ago, which is something I'm just now learning ie the jolt of norepinephrine that sent me to emergency...and why it happened like that.

Thank you so much for this video.

FUCK DRUGS! Go natural guy's, For a guy who had anxiety his whole life i want to share my routine how i got over it completely. 1. I start my first practice with yoga which consists of asanas (stretch's) and pranayama (breathwork). 2. Go to the gym to lift weights or practice calesthincs at home followed by 3. Cold shower for muscle recovery and for mood upliftment and also proved to help in anxiety and depression. 4. Journal I pour my thoughts on my journal which alleviates irrational fears, puts things into perceptive. 5. Last but not least, i practice the wim hof before i meet someone or anxious, reduces fears dramatically. I HOPE THIS HELPS! These are the ways i got over my lifetime anxiety, i wish you the best of luck my friends , know that your not alone in this and your gonna get over it.

great video for knowledge and for removal of anxiety

I’m so skeptical about the scientific explanation about depression and anxiety. Human thoughts, emotion, and overall mental health seems so complex and impossible to understand. I mean the science seems right but it’s just so weird lol. I want to learn so much more

Would you happen to have a video that explains how anxiety causes symptoms such as dizziness and such? I seem to suffer from a lot of dizziness with mine, even on days when I feel like everything is calm, then BAM dizziness. Maybe understanding why it does this could help me manage it better. Especially while at work.

This video and its music actually make me anxious.

The instant cure for anxiety is to understand the fact that there are infinite amount of possible outcomes in this universe and our brain only thinks of a handful . A bad outcome can become the means of a good outcome in the future. Just like that a good outcome can become the means of a bad outcome. For example, you lost your job (bad thing). But then you got a new job which is better ( bad thing led to a good outcome.) It's an endless cycle. So just go with the flow and don't think about it . 😄 Goodluck.

Thanks Alie - super interesting video, and I love your way of communicating this complex information. Have a great day!

bouncing bunny I think I have anxiety . also, I have a question and I would appreciate it if someone responds. one of my guy friends who I was really good friends within year 2 (1st grade) but now 5 years later we are basically enemies he has asked me so many times what happened but I can't bring myself to tell him Do you think I should tell him when we go back to school?

So smart, from head to bottom. I've already subscribed to your beautiful channel!

Is there an updated link for the 3rd Rand Swenson source, seems to be broken

have you experience heart palpitation or chest pain , any heart problem during your anxiety time ?

Thank you! This is actually good to know!

I take Lorazepan when needed for anxiety...I feel anxious everyday..meds only calm the symptons but don't change your thought process..so tired of feeling anxious..

Thank you! You answered all my questions.

Would love to know more about Health Anxiety! Great video 😁👍🏻

I love the way you teach us all about neuroscience :) :)

This is great, thank you :) I found the music anxiety-inducing though!

Interesting jingle you've got playing in the background. It's stimulating, yet not distracting. Unless you're obsessed with analyzing background music, which seems to apply to me

Great video And very informative! Constructive feedback though is that the music felt a bit busy for the content. I found it hard to really concentrate on the information with the very happening music in the background. I personally would have liked gentler and less distracting music at parts of the video where you were explaining things. Otherwise a great video

They say the first step to treating it is understanding it.

Her necklace is solar system

Thank you for the video. I enjoyed it. I love your necklace! It reminds me of the solar system!!!

This is a great video.. Thank you. I learned more from you in 5 minutes than i have from multiple Psychiatrists in the past 22 years. I wish i didnt have this dissorder and somedays are better than others. Just wish i could find better help in San Diego.

SSRI's are the reason I got anxiety in the first place, I never experienced anxiety prior to taking them.

I have anxiety every night. It's just fucking pure hell.

I like the way of your communication...now I feel better 🙂

Are there neurological techniques to control anxiety?

So helpful and summarized ❤

I got my panic attack couple months ago ever since I can’t focus and I keep telling my self I might have a tumor cancer even though I went to the doctors to get a check up 2 times I keep worrying

LOVE & MEDITATION ❤️

Thank you so much, what an awesome vlog, helped with my MSc Psychology assignment.

Good video but I wouldn't recommend SSRIs for anxiety.

How about a video concerning Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, I was diagnosed a few months ago. There aren't too many videos on this specific personality disorder. Thank you.

I appreciate what you have to say, yet find the background music not only anxiety producing but also an obstacle to concentrating on what you are saying. Please consider removing it altogether from the video (i.e., no music track required). Don't mean to be critical . . . just being honest in hopes of being helpful. Best wishes.

What jerk downvotes this kind of video, I mean really. Great job, Alie

So helpful! Thanks so much, love your channel too

Lol was the "These go to 11" clip from a mockumentary called Final Tap or something like that? I remember I rented it from a Blockbuster in 2004, hilarious!

Thank u for doing this! :) I have GAD too.😭