In this heightened state, we literally experience the world differently. Pain doesn’t register. We focus on louder, more distressing sounds. We lose nuances in our sense of smell. And in activation mode, we look different. We grow dead-eyed. Our brows furrow. Our shoulders hunch, and we take on a defensive stance. Our voices take on an unnatural, s

Damasio argues that the core of our self-awareness rests on the physical sensations that convey the inner states of the body:

Yet our conscious self also plays a vital role in maintaining our inner equilibrium: We need to register and act on our physical sensations to keep our bodies safe.