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

New documentary covers Israeli...

00:14:42

New documentary covers Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza

The Hard Shoulder

00:14:42


How big of an issue is distrac...

00:06:14

How big of an issue is distracted driving?

The Hard Shoulder

00:06:14


Kids Clinic: Realistically pla...

00:10:09

Kids Clinic: Realistically planning family dinner

The Hard Shoulder

00:10:09


Major rezoning plan for 7,000...

00:07:43

Major rezoning plan for 7,000 new homes moving forward despite objections

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:43