We propose that transitions between defensive states could be implicated in decisions to help others under threat, and we discuss new avenues for deepening our understanding of the link between care and defence. Looking forward to hearing others' thoughts on our proposal!

Also in humans, emerging evidence, including from our own work, suggests that altruistic helping behaviours may be neurally related to defensive behaviours. Particularly, active defensive states (i.e. fight or flight) could be engaged in other protection.

We argue that neural systems implicated in self-defence may have been repurposed through evolution to also allow protection of others. This is evidence from animal models showing analogous processes implicated in self-defensive responses and in offspring protection.