Why You Forget When Under Stress

[KickChick]

When finding yourself in a situation in which you have no control (an attack, a robbery, or an assault) this activates an enzyme in the brain called "protein kinase C".

According to Dr. Amy F.T. Arnsten of the Yale Medical School, the PKC enzyme impairs memory and other functions in the pre-frontal cortex. PKC shuts down the part of the brain that allows abstract reasoning and working memory, clearing the way for direct action that is not hindered by the critical thinking process.

Scientists believe this release of PKC evolved as a protective mechanism in dangerous situations that demanded quick reactions.

This further supports the concept that your self defense training must not rely on complicated techniques or choices that need to be selected or remembered during an attack.

If you have to "remember" which technique to use, you're not going to reliably be able to access your memory to select the correct response.

You have to "know" concepts and principles that can be applied to multiple stressful situations.

"KISS"

[ThaiBxr]

That's why sparring is so important. Also I like Muay Thai in regards to what you said for it's simplistic brutality. There isn't a whole lot to remember, and I spend so much time practicing everything I learn that the technique has become my natural response. Like when I punch my other fist automatically goes to my exposed chin.

[CosmicFish]

When finding yourself in an attack situation in which you feel have no control, activates an enzyme in the brain called "protein kinase C".
Are you describing situations where you go "mental", tearing into your attacker without realising what you're doing, or situations where you freeze up uselessly?

[Slindsay]

I would imagine the first situation.

Its more likely the second situation would be caused by fear freezing up even your instincts maybe?

[KickChick]

Are you describing situations where you go "mental", tearing into your attacker without realising what you're doing, or situations where you freeze up uselessly?

I mean't "A situation where you have no control (like an attack, a robbery, or an assault) .. not where you lose control.

I edited my original post ;)

[Punchy]

Interesting. Another good reason why self defence techniques must be simple!

[NaughtyKnight]

Thats why you have to do things over and over and over and over....

Thats also why "what ifs" dont work.

[Lurch]

Another thing is that all of your fine motor skills go out the window when you're stressed, frightened, what have you due to the adrenaline dumped into your system. Techniques should not focus on doing something that requires fine control or co-ordination (they wouldn't be simple if they did) but can be performed in a relatively clumsy manner. That's not to say you should practice clumsily, obviously, but the technique should be such that it's still usable when things get messy.

In addition, as we all know the only way to really be able to use a technique is practice, practice, practice.

[Albert]

The more your used to these situations, the less this pkc actually effects you.. in my case, and others, there is no need for the MA's we know to be really simple.. i can control my adrenaline much better now, than maybe a few years ago, because of situations like this.

[gimgamgommetje]

yes, the more you are used to situations the less stress you will have so the less you'll be influenced by the symptons.
This is one reason why stress training can be great help.
Even if it is not so relevant like parachute jumping you can extend your limits or at least get more used to the stress.

Still, things can always escalate and even if you end up in situations often you should stick to the principals of 'kiss'
Especially if you deal with agression professionally on a regular basis, you should really cut out all the fancy stuff.

[pgm316]

The more your used to these situations, the less this pkc actually effects you.. in my case, and others, there is no need for the MA's we know to be really simple.. i can control my adrenaline much better now, than maybe a few years ago, because of situations like this.

Not sure how used to these situations you can get :confused:

In training my adrenalin is generally under control. But a situation "which you have no control (an attack, a robbery, or an assault)", I couldn't say.

[gimgamgommetje]

I get into situations a lot because I work full time as an event security guard.
Sometimes you simply have to make arrests or throw people out or in any case you arrive too late to de-escalate things.

It's true that the more you get into real situations the more you're used to it.
It's kinda sad but true.
THe reaction with adrenaline etc gets less and less.

[NaughtyKnight]

KISS is a very good principle on the street!

In the majority of my fights, I have used:

Punches, headbuts.

Simple, and they get the job done quickly.

Leave your wall kicks and fly kicks to the dojang.

[pgm316]

KISS is a very good principle on the street!

In the majority of my fights, I have used:

Punches, headbuts.

Simple, and they get the job done quickly.

Leave your wall kicks and fly kicks to the dojang.

Comes back to that old argument of why even practice them in the dojang if you plan NOT to use them when it comes to the crunch?

[gimgamgommetje]

not everybody trains 100% for self defense reasons.
you can do all kinds of things for the fun of it. I see no problem with that.

But if you train only to be able to defend yourself you'd better keep it real.

[BackFistMonkey]

Since I am terrified of heights and closterphobic .....
and I had never been on a roller coaster .........
I decided to ride one this weekend while amusement parking/water parking . * coughs * I happend across the "largest wooden roller coaster in the world " . I boarded with my girlfriend and decided I would see what I could remember M.A. wise while I controlled my fear . I went through half of my first form ( in my head ) when we flattened out from the incline and leveled off .. briefly ...then dropped ... a very long steep way .. .. into a wooden top bridge looking thing that was sunk below ground ground level .

I lost all logical thought going down that first drop . I almost wet myself I was so scared ,but before I felt friction back in wheels I was somewhat in control of my brain again .Then the cobwebs went away and I found myself enjoying the ride and going through my forms , locks, kicks , and strikes in my head .

I spent the rest of the day riding the roller coasters and the more insane rides making sure I could in fact conquer my fears and control the "heeby jeebies" that had kept me off these rides before .Next year this time .. different park new rides ... hahahaha another adrenaline junky is born !!!!!

[CosmicFish]

I mean't "A situation where you have no control (like an attack, a robbery, or an assault) .. not where you lose control.

I edited my original post ;)
That makes more sense now, thanks for the clarification!

I guess it also explains why it's hard to remember details of what happened after the event, say if you're being questioned by the police.

[howpow]

Stress is important - it triggers the hypothalamus gland to send signals via the pituary gland to stimulate the secretion of adrenaline. Not only this but long term immunity activity (such as that of antibodies dividing) and digestion of foods are ceased to focus energy needs elsewhere. But it is when this energy is not percieved correctly (it's a big shock to the body) that the psyche cannot interpret what is going on in time to act accordingly. If you are aware that the body naturally goes through radical changes unconsciously in a stress situation and that it is A GOOD THING then the psyche will feel more at ease with the sensations and we can act faster and more comfortabely. But yeah, the more you fight the more you'll be prepared. Like with everything else.

[Developing]

KISS is a very good principle on the street!

In the majority of my fights, I have used:

Punches, headbuts.

Simple, and they get the job done quickly.

Leave your wall kicks and fly kicks to the dojang.

Keep It Simple Stupid, I was looking for someone to say this.

[Developing]

When finding yourself in a situation in which you have no control (an attack, a robbery, or an assault) this activates an enzyme in the brain called "protein kinase C".

According to Dr. Amy F.T. Arnsten of the Yale Medical School, the PKC enzyme impairs memory and other functions in the pre-frontal cortex. PKC shuts down the part of the brain that allows abstract reasoning and working memory, clearing the way for direct action that is not hindered by the critical thinking process.

Scientists believe this release of PKC evolved as a protective mechanism in dangerous situations that demanded quick reactions.

This further supports the concept that your self defense training must not rely on complicated techniques or choices that need to be selected or remembered during an attack.

If you have to "remember" which technique to use, you're not going to reliably be able to access your memory to select the correct response.

You have to "know" concepts and principles that can be applied to multiple stressful situations.

"KISS"
I see I wasn't reading carefully enough the KISS concept was mentioned at the very beginning of the thread.

Along with some other valuable information. It would seem that any activity that is done in a stressful environment can lead to nervousness and in many cases decreased motor skills. This can occur if someone is giving a speech or if someone is learning something new like driving. In those situations you wouldn't speak on topics you know nothing about nor would drive at high speeds when you lack control of the car. So why would you approach fighting any different. You shouldn't do techniques that are extremely complicated that you have little understanding of. Being attacked and forced into a fight is the mother of all these nerve racking scenarios it demands a competent response.

[tellner]

That is a really cool piece of research. Thanks for sharing it Kick Chick.

[slipthejab]

Good post Kick Chick.

There is some information of a similar nature here:

http://martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36141&page=1&pp=15

on adrenalin and dealing with it etc.

[hottdogg]

I agree with practice, practice, practice,KISS
and 'the more you get into the more you're used to it.

I've been practising MA for only a year. so this is just beginner thought.
Just want to emphasize on that practice thing as I dont plan to "get used to it"
(Who wants to be in no control situation?) and rather get away from any conflict.
If you do proper practice a lot (drill, sparring, etc.), 1 of the thing you will get is I think proper self-defense REFLEX move that you can't get in "learn our secret self defense technique instantly, forget that MA that take years to mastered" system.
So, for instance, in under attack situation when the PKC builds up, your reflex that do the defense-offense. You don't and couldn't think/rationalize of "Ok, when this do this with this". Why? because...

According to Dr. Amy F.T. Arnsten of the Yale Medical School, the PKC enzyme impairs memory and other functions in the pre-frontal cortex. PKC shuts down the part of the brain that allows abstract reasoning and working memory, clearing the way for DIRECT ACTION that is not hindered by the critical thinking process.
direct action and reflex....hmmmm

Scientists believe this release of PKC evolved as a protective mechanism in dangerous situations that demanded QUICK REACTIONS.
quick reactions and reflex....hmmmm

Well, I think if you're untrained you would do bad self-defense reflex. If you're trained you'd do reflex that you acquired in your MA school.
But for me the 1st priority is Run !! :)
for me RIP(Run If Possible) is one of the part of KISS. :D

Developing good self defense reflex requires effort, time and guidance.

O yeah... there's a thing called 'combat strategy'. Useful? sure. Maybe you can discuss it in another thread.

Thx. Correct me if i'm wrong.

Anyway, nice post KickChick. :D