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

Movies and TV: Ride or Die, Lu...

00:12:49

Movies and TV: Ride or Die, Lucky, Ann Droid

The Hard Shoulder

00:12:49


What harmful substances are in...

00:08:54

What harmful substances are in illegal vapes?

The Hard Shoulder

00:08:54


The Taoiseach meets Zelenskyy...

00:07:35

The Taoiseach meets Zelenskyy in Kyiv - Emily Keegan Reports

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:35


The Thursday Interview: Keith...

00:12:44

The Thursday Interview: Keith Barry

The Hard Shoulder

00:12:44