Road rage where you snap behind the wheel: time to manage the fire within you

The phenomenon of surging fire described in the Donguibogam can be explained in modern medicine through the combined action of the brain's emotional regulation system and stress hormones. Emotional dysregulation, such as anger while driving, occurs mainly when the amygdala, located deep inside our brain, becomes excessively activated. The amygdala acts like an emotional core switch that senses threats and triggers the fight or flight response. Stimuli like traffic congestion or rude behavior from other drivers quickly stimulate the amygdala, which activates the sympathetic nervous system and rapidly secretes stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones increase heart rate, elevate blood pressure, and tense muscles to prepare the body for immediate threats. The issue is that the prefrontal cortex of our brain fails to perform its role during these moments. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for rational judgment, impulse control, and problem-solving abilities, but when the amygdala is excessively activated, prefrontal cortex function can be temporarily paralyzed or weakened. It is just like how running away instinctively precedes rational judgment when a fire breaks out. In this state of imbalance, one easily becomes annoyed by minor stimuli, and aggressive words or impulsive behaviors readily appear. In addition, an imbalance in neurotransmitters like serotonin significantly affects emotional dysregulation; serotonin plays an important role in mood, sleep, appetite, and impulse control. When serotonin levels drop, anxiety and aggressiveness can increase. Chronic stress further solidifies these functional changes in the brain, repeating the pattern of snapping easily at minor stimuli, which can ultimately lead to a vicious cycle of continuously accumulating fire.