The low road and high road are two different pathways that information can travel through the brain when we experience emotions.
The low road is a fast, unconscious pathway that goes directly from the thalamus to the amygdala. The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure that is involved in processing emotions, especially fear. The high road is a slower, more conscious pathway that goes from the thalamus to the cortex and then to the amygdala. The cortex is the outer layer of the brain that is responsible for higher-level functions, such as thinking, planning, and decision-making.
The low road is often activated when we experience a sudden, unexpected threat. For example, if you are walking down the street and you see a Polar Bear, the low road will quickly send a signal to the amygdala, which will trigger a fear response. This fear response will cause you to jump back or run away, even before you have had a chance to consciously process what is happening.
The high road is more likely to be activated when we experience a less threatening or more complex situation. For example, if you are walking down the street and you see a dog, the high road will send a signal to the cortex, where you will be able to consciously process the situation. You will be able to see that the dog is not a threat, and you will be able to decide whether or not to pet it.
The low road and high road are both important for processing emotions. The low road allows us to respond quickly to threats, while the high road allows us to make more complex decisions about our emotions.
