The human body possesses clear biological and physical limits, and surpassing these boundaries is impossible for most people. Those who push their bodies to extremes and venture into new thresholds are today’s Olympians. With exceptional physical conditioning and unwavering determination, they train relentlessly in pursuit of their goals. They are there to break new records and to demonstrate what the human body is capable of achieving. These individuals are not merely ordinary humans; they stand beyond athletic boundaries, representing what could be described as “peak” humans.
The concept of the peak human is most commonly encountered in fictional works rather than in everyday life. Although such individuals may represent the pinnacle of human potential, they still cannot transcend the inherent limits imposed on our species. Rare instances in which these limits appear to be surpassed have been observed when a phenomenon known as hysterical strength comes into play. Hysterical strength allows individuals, albeit briefly, to lift these biological constraints and, metaphorically speaking, transform into a superhuman version of themselves.
What Is Hysterical Strength?
It has been nearly four years since I first encountered this concept. Power systems in fictional narratives and the natural limits of the human body have always fascinated me. However, the term hysterical strength does not exist within Turkish academic literature. Searches in Turkish sources typically yield results related to hysteria or hysterical laughter. Consequently, to better understand this phenomenon, one must turn to English-language sources.
Neuroscience professor E. Paul Zehr of the University of Victoria in Canada defines hysterical strength as “extraordinary instances in which, under high-stress conditions, an individual displays levels of strength far beyond what would normally be considered possible.” He also emphasizes that such feats cannot be replicated under calm or controlled circumstances.
Undoubtedly, hysterical strength is an exceptional phenomenon that manifests only under extreme conditions. These situations may involve a direct threat to one’s life, such as an animal attack, or the endangerment of a loved one. In such moments, the brain suppresses pain perception, allowing the muscles to operate at full capacity and generate extraordinary levels of force.
Historical Examples
Although some people remain skeptical of the concept of hysterical strength, there are historical accounts that appear to support its existence. One of the most well-known examples is Seyit Onbaşı, who reportedly lifted and carried a 276-kilogram artillery shell during wartime. While a trained strongman or professional bodybuilder might be capable of lifting such a weight, this would be highly improbable for an ordinary soldier.
Seyit Onbaşı achieved what seemed impossible through the activation of hysterical strength. The imminent threat of his homeland’s occupation enabled him to mobilize his muscles to their absolute limits.
Beyond these cases, most documented instances of hysterical strength involve individuals rescuing people trapped beneath vehicles. Several notable examples include the following:
- In 2006, Lydia Angiyou physically confronted a polar bear that was threatening her seven-year-old son and his friends while they were playing hockey, restraining the animal until a hunter arrived with a rifle.
- In 1962, a mother attempting to save her baby trapped under a car reportedly exhibited hysterical strength—an event that later inspired the creator of The Hulk.
- In 2012, a young man named Austin Smith rescued his grandfather after he became pinned beneath a vehicle.
- Some Tibetan oracles have reportedly demonstrated superhuman physical abilities while in trance-like ecstatic states.
Is Hysterical Strength Scientific or Mere Myth?
Does hysterical strength have any basis in reality? Is it grounded in science, or is it merely a collection of exaggerated anecdotes? In truth, hysterical strength is both scientific and unscientific; it is fundamentally anecdotal. To understand why it is not fully accepted as a scientific phenomenon, it is necessary to consider the criteria that define scientific validity.
For a concept to fall within the domain of science, it must be falsifiable, testable, and reproducible. The statement “Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at one atmosphere of pressure” is scientific precisely because it has been repeatedly verified through experiments conducted in different locations under controlled conditions. Hysterical strength, however, cannot be subjected to such testing. One cannot place an individual in a laboratory and declare, “We will now attempt to kill one of your loved ones, demonstrate superhuman strength.” Nor can one reliably induce extreme stress and expect a subject to lift a car on command.
Even if, hypothetically, a subject were to display extraordinary strength under experimental conditions, there would be no guarantee that the result could be replicated. Would an experiment conducted in a laboratory in Switzerland yield the same outcome in Japan? Almost certainly not. Hysterical strength manifests as a brief, situational response under extreme conditions. As such, it relies heavily on eyewitness accounts and anecdotal evidence.
Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism itself is consistent with established scientific principles. Using our current understanding of human biology, hysterical strength can be plausibly explained. In this sense, while the phenomenon itself resists direct scientific testing, its physiological foundations firmly reside within the boundaries of science. These foundations rest on several key mechanisms.
Hormones
Hormones play a wide range of roles in the human body, and one of the most well-known hormones associated with hysterical strength is adrenaline. When confronted with stress, the body typically responds in one of two ways: fight or flight. These responses originate in the amygdala, a region of the brain responsible for fear and emotional processing. The amygdala activates the hypothalamus, which in turn triggers the release of stress hormones—most notably adrenaline and cortisol.
- Adrenaline acts as an emergency response mechanism during moments of acute stress. It enables us to flee from a pursuing animal or resist an attacker. Heart rate increases, the lungs take in more oxygen, sensory perception sharpens, pain sensitivity diminishes, and blood flow to the muscles intensifies. These physiological changes enhance survival. In life-or-death situations, a massive surge of adrenaline may occur, facilitating the emergence of hysterical strength.
- Cortisol is another hormone closely linked to stress, playing a crucial role in mobilizing the body’s glucose reserves. However, hormones alone are insufficient to fully account for hysterical strength. The critical factor lies in the temporary removal of the brain’s self-imposed limitations on muscular output.
Source: Neuroscientifically Challenged
The Central Governor Theory
Under normal conditions, the human body never utilizes the full potential of its musculature. An average individual can typically recruit only about half of their maximum muscular capacity. Engaging all available muscle fibers would result in severe damage, including muscle tears, tendon rupture, and a significant reduction in lifespan. For this reason, the brain imposes protective limitations on physical output.
By restricting the proportion of muscle activation, the brain preserves both musculoskeletal integrity and overall longevity. When a neural signal travels from the nervous system to the muscles, calcium ions are released, initiating muscle contraction. However, this signal does not activate all muscles—or more precisely, all motor units—simultaneously. Through systematic training and heightened motivation, individuals can learn to recruit a greater number of motor units more efficiently. Nevertheless, even in highly trained individuals, the brain prevents full muscular activation as a protective measure.
As muscles continue to work, metabolic byproducts accumulate, giving rise to the sensation of fatigue. This sensation functions as a signal to cease activity. Ignoring this signal can lead to irreversible muscle damage and catastrophic physiological failure. Consequently, the brain reserves a portion of human strength for extreme or emergency situations, maintaining it as a protective physiological reserve.
Utilizing Calcium
Another key factor contributing to the emergence of hysterical strength is the maximal opening of calcium channels under extreme conditions. In such states, protein kinase A phosphorylates the ryanodine receptor, a process that is essential for skeletal muscle inotropy. This heightened calcium release enhances the contractile force of muscle fibers, allowing for temporarily elevated strength output.
Author’s Note
Although hysterical strength can be discussed within a scientific framework, it is not recognized as a formal medical condition. The underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. Two decades ago, it was widely believed that the Golgi tendon organs acted as the primary limiters of muscular force and that trained athletes could override this inhibition. Subsequent research, however, has demonstrated that this assumption was incorrect. Readers seeking a more comprehensive understanding are encouraged to consult the sources listed in the references.
References
- Andersson, D. C., Betzenhauser, M. J., Reiken, S., Umanskaya, A., Shiomi, T., & Marks, A. R. (2012). Stress‐induced increase in skeletal muscle force requires protein kinase A phosphorylation of the ryanodine receptor. The Journal of Physiology, 590(24), 6381–6387. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2012.237925
- Austin, D. (2024, April 11). ‘Hysterical strength’? Fight or flight? This is how your body reacts to extreme stress. Science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/extreme-strength-fight-flight-stress-muscle-power
- Nunatsiaq Haberleri. (n.d.). https://web.archive.org/web/20070927011557/http://www.nunatsiaq.com/archives/60217/news/nunavut/60217_03.html
- Vandergriendt, C. (2020, July 23). How superhuman strength happens. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/hysterical-strength#in-the-news
- Wogle. (n.d.). Central governor and fatigue. Neuromechanics of Human Movement: For Learners by Learners. https://pressbooks.calstate.edu/humanneuromechanics/chapter/central-governor-and-fatigue/