It’s been a while since I’ve shared a new article. I’ve been thinking a lot about the many beginner surfers I’ve met recently, and one common concern for many of them seems to be fear of the ocean, fear of the drop into the wave, or fear of being
held under water not being able to breathe. This article is an exploration of fear in all its forms, in any situation, not only surfing. As usual, I would like to discuss a subject from my perspective of neurophilosopher. Let’s explore this topic and discuss the right and only way to definitely get rid of your fears.
What is fear from its definitions?
Fear is coined as a negative emotion, plain and simple. In a world of positive positivity we know — or at least we think we know—what is to be negative : it’s bad. But what is an emotion? Etymologically speaking, and without too many details, emotion comes from the Latin verb emovere that means “move out, to stir up”. It is all about passions, sentiments, and affections. These words have a negative side to them, at least to some extent. Passion is about suffering. Sentiment has some nostalgia in it. Affection is related to disease. Therefore, fear as a negative emotion is really bad!
Fear is also coined as a primal emotion. According to Gemini “it is a response to perceived or actual danger or threat. It’s a complex interplay of physical, emotional, and cognitive reactions designed to protect us”. Here again we see a sense of movement, but without its negative meaning of agitation. This is a more modern definition.
Renowned data scientist Jaak Panksepp who studied animal emotions, assert that fear exists amongst animals as a negative primal emotion, like rage, panic or grief. His point of view is interesting because before we were humans, we were animals. It seems we inherit emotions from them, including fear.
Then, when fear is huge we call it panic. From Wikipedia, its definition is:
“Panic is a sudden sensation of fear, which is so strong as to dominate or prevent reason and logical thinking, replacing it with overwhelming feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and frantic agitation consistent with a fight-or-flight reaction. Panic can occur in individuals or manifest suddenly in large groups as mass panic (which is closely related to herd behavior).”
In science, studying a system at its limits is always worthwhile. It allows us to gain a deeper understanding of it. So panic, as the extreme version of fear, is a chaotic reaction, completely irrational and detrimental. These admirable qualities undoubtedly originate from a common source: fear.
From the different observations above, we can see that fear and panic are nuisible to survival. So, I wonder why such a negative behavior would survive through evolution? Why do negative emotions exist? It is weird because the role of emotions (obviously positive ones) is about communication, motivation and adaptation, for better survival and prosperity. All of these functionalities being done in a swift way — otherwise we would be vegetables.
In Dune, Frank Herbert wrote about fear bringing an interesting perspective, more philosophical:
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
Herbert points out that fear is a detrimental reaction that needs to be washed-out to recover a clear mind. You must face your fear and overcome it to survive.
Fear arises in situations of danger where Fight, Flight, or Freezing reactions need to be triggered quickly. Even in this situation, fear as an emotion does not make sense. Whatever the solution you choose between the 3F you need to be sharp, at your full potential, and fear does not help at all. Whatever the F solution you choose you need to be strong, flexible, smart and quick in your response. Fear simply does not allow that. Freezing does not mean shaking uncontrollably: it’s just a pause, a stillness without movement, being ready for the next possible step like Fight or Flight.
Let me be clear: I’m not saying that fear doesn’t exist. What I am saying is that it is mislabeled. Fear is something else, or more than just a negative emotion.
This is why I’m an eliminative materialist. We have to dump our ancestral culture that blinds our judgment and prevents us from debunking bugs and loopholes in our view of the world. Ok, but what about medical treatments for fear? They are supposed to work, at least in some way.
Treatments for fear
So, what are the treatments, and how do they work or do they work? It is a legitimate question if you agree with me that fear is not what it is supposed to be, that we missed something important about it. If we don’t know what fear is, how can a medical treatment for fear possibly work? Let’s explore the available options.
People have the choice of psychotherapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy or Mindfulness-Based Therapy. Because it is a psycho thing, it works or it doesn’t, and nobody or no theory can really explain why. The only one for whom it always works is the therapist. It’s that simple. Follow the money.
Psycho treatments are flawed because they ignore the fact that emotions originate in the body. Instead, they focus on the perception of fear, rather than the sensation of fear from the body. It’s exactly like allopathic medicine. It focuses on treating the symptom, not the cause. This is because our world and culture are focusing on the brain (or mind if you prefer), forgetting our bodies. This is a problem.
It’s crucial to differentiate between fear and danger or alertness. By doing so, you can effectively address your fear without focusing on the danger itself. Of course, you can reduce the danger by staying in a secure place. You can also reduce the perception of danger with the help of psychotherapy. However, the seed of fear will still be there, waiting to burst. With this perspective, it’s clear that therapies are not fear therapies but danger or alertness therapies.
Lowering your perception is like putting blinds on your senses. You’re taking unnecessary risks because you can’t perceive the reality or the true extent of the danger. This is wrong. The danger is still the same. It hasn’t changed. Psychotherapy makes you weak because it makes you less aware of a potential danger.
The same is true of psychotropics (anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications). They are nothing more than band-aids. You wouldn’t leave a plaster on a wound in place for years, would you? It’s clear that many people use it long-term, and that medical doctors are prescribing it more than they should. This is because they don’t know any other solution.
And about mindfulness I prefer to say nothing but a multi billion dollar business with no proof that it is better than placebo or Coué method (autosuggestion). Whatever! No one has ever been hurt by sitting down and relaxing for a few minutes.
These treatments don’t address the real issue: why some people experience fear. Psychotherapies and psychotropics just make you weaker, less prone to react to danger. However, it works in a society where everything is done to minimize hazards and make people be and feel safe. I’m not against security, only against lowering or canceling the perception of danger. But if medicine proposes only symptomatic treatments, it is because there is a misunderstanding of what causes fear.
Why do people experience fear?
At the beginning of this article, I introduced what I am certain is an intriguing concept: a logical blunder in society’s ideas about fear. I then showed that this misconception is proven by inappropriate treatments to resolve it. I think that we can now move on to more effective solutions! And then for the best part: I’m going to explain from my point of view what fear is and how to lower or eliminate this phenomenon.
It is a widely accepted fact among psychologists and neuroscientists that emotions originate from the body. But where else could they possibly come from if not the body? It must be the mind or the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain. If someone said the mind, I’d like to know exactly where it is and what it is made of. As a materialist, I eagerly await proof of the existence of the mind! And for the CNS, it is part of the body just like all the other organs and the peripheral nervous system. So yes, emotions undoubtedly originate from the body, even if some processing occurs in the CNS.
But then, what is fear from my perspective? Logically, fear is a disturbance. It is a weird and uncontrollably phenomenon that shouldn’t exist because it is detrimental to life. It is a sensation of helplessness or incapacity to handle a situation of danger or surprise. It is a reaction of your body pushed at its limits. In the modern world we lowered the limits, the threshold to go mad.
And this is my point: fear happens when your body can’t handle an emotion raised by a perception of danger or surprise, feeling unable to control the situation and react in your best interest. It is the symbol that you reached your limits and you does shit. Once you understand this you will understand that there is no point in lowering your perceptions with psychotropics or psychotherapy. The solution is simple: work on your body to make it healthier.
When you’re tense and stressed you can’t react appropriately. The right solution is to make your body as healthy as possible. This allows you to bear all the changes going on in your body when you feel danger, and then you can choose to fight, flight, or freeze. And I can assure you that freezing or staying tranquil is the most difficult response to master, because adrenaline and cortisol excite you.
Here with freezing, we recognize the ancient meaning of negative emotion: what stirs you up and makes you lose your poise or confidence — but should never happen. Because freezing doesn’t mean being paralyzed by your fear. It means the total opposite: reacting rationally and swiftly enough for the next step if the situation requires it.
To sum up
- In conclusion, fear, while often perceived as a negative emotion, is a complex response rooted in our biology and shaped by our experiences. By understanding its true nature as a disturbance arising from our body’s limitations, we can challenge the prevailing cultural narratives and explore more effective strategies for managing it.
- Rather than seeking external solutions like psychotherapy or medication, which often address symptoms rather than the root cause, we must focus on strengthening our bodies. By improving our physical health, we can better navigate challenging situations and overcome fear.
- Remember, fear is a signal that you have reached your limits. By embracing this perspective and taking steps to enhance your physical fitness, you can conquer fear and fully enjoy your life.
Tame your biggest fears by making your body strong and flexible! Get moving! Exercise, stretch, practice sports, challenge your max; and improve your body consciousness with PNF yoga and functional movements. Walk and run minimalist.
That’s the only secret to surpass yourself.