What may occur as a result of the sudden return to the parasympathetic nervous system?

The sudden return to the parasympathetic nervous system can lead to memory distortion due to the way the body processes stress and relaxation. When a person experiences a significant stressor or threat, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, which prepares the body for fight or flight. This activation can result in heightened arousal and focus. However, once the threat is gone and the body transitions back to a state governed by the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and recovery, the abrupt change can disrupt normal cognitive functioning.

During this transition, the brain may struggle to reconcile the heightened emotional states experienced during stress with the subsequent calmness, leading to inaccuracies in memory recall or a distorted perception of events. This is particularly relevant in defensive tactics scenarios where individuals may need to process rapid, high-stress encounters. The calming influence of the parasympathetic nervous system can sometimes cloud the clarity of memories formed during the heightened state of anxiety or fear.

This phenomenon does not imply a total blackout or loss of consciousness, nor does it enhance cognitive capabilities or awareness; instead, it highlights how the body's physiological responses to stress can interfere with the cognitive processing of experiences.