I have some experience in the ballpark of what you’re referring to and would say it’s somewhat situational: For example, I never used to think twice about joggers but after I started doing Muay Thai every time I hear footsteps closing in fast behind me I get an adrenaline dump.

One time I almost decked a jogger who passed real close, but as I was pivoting to bob, jab, and jump back outside of their range, I actually saw them and my hand went from a fist to a wave. I don’t think they even realized what almost happened, but I felt so fucking stupid.

I even quit wearing headphones when going for walks to prevent getting startled like that, but I guess the flip side is that I’m more difficult to jump now (which was kind of the goal of learning MT in the first place).

First responder training/experience can also make you hypervigilant when it comes to certain things, so I think it’s more fair to say, it just changes what can provoke the gasp/startle response.