Understanding the Science Behind the Fear of Public Speaking

Many people get nervous about speaking in front of others.

In fact, some studies show that 85% of adults in the U.S. feel anxious when asked to speak publicly. This fear is known as glossophobia, and it’s very common.

So, why do we get so scared when all eyes are on us? The answer lies in how our brain reacts to certain situations.

Your Internal Alarm System

Imagine you’re walking home one night, and just before you reach your house, there’s a dark alley. It’s pitch black, and you’re all alone.

Suddenly, your brain goes into overdrive. It’s saying, “Danger! Dark alley ahead! Be careful.”

Your heart starts racing, and your hands get sweaty. Even though part of you knows it’s probably safe, your brain is still on high alert. This is your body’s way of protecting you from danger.

Now, what if this same feeling happens when you’re about to speak in front of a crowd?

Whether it’s in a boardroom, a classroom, or at a big meeting, your brain reacts the same way.

And Then Its Triggered

The part of your brain responsible for this reaction is called the amygdala. It acts like a built-in alarm system. When you’re about to speak in public, the amygdala remembers any past experiences you’ve had.

Maybe you stumbled over your words before, or maybe you just felt really nervous. Your amygdala remembers these moments and warns you, “This could be scary.”

Then certain brain cells trigger neurons. These neurons tell your body to release stress hormones. These hormones are what make your heart beat faster, your palms sweat, and your mind go blank.

It’s all part of what’s called the fight or flight response.

Your brain is trying to prepare you to either face the situation or run away from it.

Real-Life Example

I remember feeling this way when I was in third grade.

As the new kid in class with a hard-to-pronounce name, reading out loud was terrifying. I was scared I would mispronounce a word or that my Indian accent would slip out and everyone would notice.

When my teacher, Mr. Buchanan, called on me, I wished for the ground to swallow me up.

But, of course, that didn’t happen.

I stood there, heart racing, face flushed, and somehow, the words came out. Even though I managed to read, the fear of being different and making a mistake was overwhelming.

That’s the same feeling many of us get when we speak in public. We just want to flee.

Why Does This Happen?

The fight or flight response is a survival mechanism that dates back to our ancient ancestors.

Imagine a caveman coming face-to-face with a wooly mammoth. His brain would immediately kick into fight or flight mode, preparing his body to either fight the beast or run away.

Fast forward to today, and while we don’t face wooly mammoths anymore, our brain still reacts the same way to different types of threats.

Whether it’s a dark alley or speaking in front of a group, our brain sees these situations as dangerous. That’s why your body reacts with fear and anxiety.

The Good News

Here’s the good news: you can train your brain to turn that anxiety into excitement.

The same part of your brain that triggers fear can be retrained to see public speaking as a positive experience.

Instead of focusing on the fear, you can shift that energy into something useful, like delivering your best speech.

With practice, you can start to feel more confident and less nervous. Over time, public speaking won’t feel like a threat anymore, but rather an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas with others.

Neha Negandhi is a TEDx speaker and public speaking coach. Her expertise through speaking 100s of hours on stage helps her train others. She is a trained journalist understanding how to captivate audiences through powerful storytelling. Book a 20-minute consultation with her on www.nehanegandhi.com