In 2016, a neuroscientific study sought to answer a question that millions of viewers had while watching Alex Honnold scale thousand foot cliffs without a rope: Does this man even feel fear?
The study, led by neuroscientist Dr. Jane Joseph at Medical University of South Carolina, utilized functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to look inside the mind of world’s most famous free soloist. The results revealed a brain that operates on a fundamentally different frequency than average person.
Experiment
To test Honnold’s fear response, Dr. Joseph placed him in an fMRI scanner and showed him a rapid-fire sequence of approximately 200 images designed to trigger amygdala—brain’s almond shaped responsible for fight-or-flight response.
The images were gruesome and intense, including:
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Disfigured corpses and bloody scenes.
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Highly distressing or disgusting visuals (e.g., a toilet overflowing with feces).
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High-adrenaline mountain climbing scenes.
For a control, researchers scanned another male rock climber of similar age who also identified as a “high sensation seeker.”
Findings
In a typical human brain, amygdala light up vividly when exposed to such stimuli, sending signals to rest of body to increase heart rate, sweat, and alertness.
1. Absence of Activation
While control subject’s amygdala glowed like a luminous Christmas tree on the scan, Honnold’s amygdala showed zero activation. To researchers’ amazement, his brain processed horrifying images with same emotional indifference one might have when looking at a blank wall.
2. Super Sensation Seeker
Honnold scored twice as high as average person on sensation seeking scales. This suggests that while most people find normal life stimulating, Honnold requires an astronomical level of input or risk just to feel same level of arousal that a person might feel on a roller coaster.
Born or Built?
The study sparked a massive debate: Was Honnold born with a broken fear center, or did he train it into submission?
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Biological: Some experts, including neuroscientist Joseph LeDoux, suggest Honnold may have been born with a less reactive threat-response system, which naturally drew him toward high-risk activities.
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Desensitization: Honnold himself attributes his calm to years of meticulous preparation. He has climbed routes like El Capitan hundreds of times with ropes, memorizing every micro move until danger is replaced by a calculated order of operations.
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Prefrontal Cortex: Some theorists believe Honnold’s prefrontal cortex (the rational, regulatory part of the brain) is so highly developed that it instantly suppress any alarm signals the amygdala might try to send.
“I’ve spent 25 years conditioning myself to work in extreme conditions, so of course my brain is different—just as brain of a monk who has spent years meditating… would be different.” — Alex Honnold
Recent Feats
As recently as January 2026, He recently free soloed Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan, a 101-story ascent that was broadcast live. Even under pressure of millions of viewers and a 91-minute climb, his composure remained absolute—further cementing idea that his brain interprets lethal danger simply as data to be processed.
| Feature | Average Brain | Alex Honnold’s Brain |
| Amygdala Response | High (triggers fear/panic) | Minimal to Zero |
| Fear Regulation | Instinctive/Emotional | Rational/Calculated |
| Sensation Threshold | Low to Moderate | Extremely High |
| Preparation Style | General caution | Obsessive desensitization |