Scientists were able to scare patients with bilateral amygdala damage using carbon dioxide.
Three rare patients, who do not normally experience fear due to damaged amygdalae, experienced fear and panic attacks when breathing 35% CO2. The results indicate that the amygdala is not required for fear and panic, and make an important distinction between fear triggered by external threats from the environment and fear triggered internally by CO2.
Researchers John Wemmie and Colin Buzza discussed their new study with Nature’s Kerri Smith.