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

Should we rename Irish streets...

00:05:57

Should we rename Irish streets that carry a British legacy?

Newstalk Breakfast

00:05:57


Nigel Farage has "never b...

00:04:51

Nigel Farage has "never been angrier in his life"

Newstalk Breakfast

00:04:51


Marine Le Pen to run for Frenc...

00:04:30

Marine Le Pen to run for French presidency in 2027

Newstalk Breakfast

00:04:30


The US and Iran traded new att...

00:04:50

The US and Iran traded new attacks overnight 

Newstalk Breakfast

00:04:50