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

Commuters warned of 'major dis...

00:05:13

Commuters warned of 'major disruption' to train services

The Claire Byrne Show

00:05:13


Should single sex schools be r...

00:05:21

Should single sex schools be resigned to the past? 

Newstalk Breakfast

00:05:21


Vape flavour ban to be debated...

00:03:40

Vape flavour ban to be debated in the Dáil today

Newstalk Breakfast

00:03:40


Major disruption to Northside...

00:03:06

Major disruption to Northside DART services this morning

Newstalk Breakfast

00:03:06