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

Netanyahu meets with Jared Kus...

00:04:44

Netanyahu meets with Jared Kushner - are we closer to a peace deal?

The Hard Shoulder

00:04:44


Phased cut on excise duty set...

00:08:26

Phased cut on excise duty set to add 9 cents to petrol and 10 cents to diesel

The Hard Shoulder

00:08:26


Kerrygold price war in the US...

00:07:09

Kerrygold price war in the US - what is happening?

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:09


Kids Clinic: School Anxiety

00:13:07

Kids Clinic: School Anxiety

The Hard Shoulder

00:13:07