What is a weakness of the fight-or-flight response in modern humans?

What is a weakness of the fight-or-flight response in modern humans?

• A. It is perfectly suited to modern life
• B. Repeated activation uses energy and can lead to cardiovascular problems
• C. It always improves digestion
• D. It has no long-term effects

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that the fight-or-flight response is built for quick, short-lived bursts of danger, but in modern life it’s often triggered repeatedly and stays active longer. When it fires again and again, it drains energy and places constant stress on the body, especially the heart and blood vessels. This chronic activation can contribute to cardiovascular problems over time, making repeated arousal a real weakness in our everyday environment. The other options don’t fit: the system isn’t perfectly suited to modern life, it doesn’t improve digestion (it actually slows it), and it does have long-term effects.

The main idea here is that the fight-or-flight response is built for quick, short-lived bursts of danger, but in modern life it’s often triggered repeatedly and stays active longer. When it fires again and again, it drains energy and places constant stress on the body, especially the heart and blood vessels. This chronic activation can contribute to cardiovascular problems over time, making repeated arousal a real weakness in our everyday environment. The other options don’t fit: the system isn’t perfectly suited to modern life, it doesn’t improve digestion (it actually slows it), and it does have long-term effects.