Navigating chaos: The science of uncertainty and how to build resilience in a constant state of flux

In one research study, participants were given a choice: Either they could pay $38 to guarantee they would get a $50 gift certificate, or they could pay $28 to enter a lottery for a chance to win either a $50 or $100 certificate. “So when we have an uncertain time, like with a potential risk of wildfire, for example, or a major change in policy — if we perceive that as potentially threatening to us, we will mount a biological stress response.” When these stress exposures are repeated or prolonged, they produce toxicity in the body’s cells and tissues, O’Donovan explained. “Increasing our tolerance for uncertainty is one way for people to experience less anxiety.” Kheirbek’s lab has conducted experiments in rodents that identified the part of the brain that is activated when animals enter fearful and uncertain environments. “Whenever the animal entered into these kinds of fearful and uncertain environments, these cells in this area of the brain would fire,” Kheirbek said. “So we thought maybe these cells are actually encoding this experience of the apprehension and fear of these uncertain environments.” We need your help to stay independent Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism In another experiment, Kheirbek used neurostimulation techniques to turn down these cells in rodents and found that the mice were less anxious and more willing to explore these uncertain environments afterward.