Advertisement

Do facial expressions influence our emotional state?

When we’re happy, our bodies become flooded with dopamine and serotonin, two types of neurotransmitters in the brain; our hearts might even beat faster and maybe, we even muster a smile. But does it work the other way? Can contorting our faces into a smile give us that chemical hit that actually makes us feel good? Nicholas A. Coles from the Center for the Study of Language and Information at Stanford University joins Jonathan to discuss.

Share this article

15.25 5 Mar 2023


Do facial expressions influence our emotional state?



Share this article

15.25 5 Mar 2023


When we’re happy, our bodies become flooded with dopamine and serotonin, two types of neurotransmitters in the brain; our hearts might even beat faster and maybe, we even muster a smile.

But does it work the other way? Can contorting our faces into a smile give us that chemical hit that actually makes us feel good?

Nicholas A. Coles from the Center for the Study of Language and Information at Stanford University joins Jonathan to discuss.


Read more about

Futureproof With Jonathan McCrea

Related Episodes

The Bookshelf with Kathryn Sto...

00:12:37

The Bookshelf with Kathryn Stockett

The Hard Shoulder

00:12:37


Galway ranked as 6th most expe...

00:06:28

Galway ranked as 6th most expensive city for rent in Europe

The Hard Shoulder

00:06:28


Should Ireland boycott its gam...

00:09:34

Should Ireland boycott its game with Israel later this year?

The Hard Shoulder

00:09:34


Updates on knife attack in Bel...

00:08:42

Updates on knife attack in Belfast

The Hard Shoulder

00:08:42