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: Ebeneezer, The...

00:15:39

Movies and TV: Ebeneezer, The Good Daughter, How to Rob a Bank

The Hard Shoulder

00:15:39


How should you deal with migra...

00:07:38

How should you deal with migraines?

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:38


Pete Hegseth survives impeachm...

00:07:12

Pete Hegseth survives impeachment vote - U.S. updates

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:12


Why do Irish people say sorry...

00:10:48

Why do Irish people say sorry so much?

The Hard Shoulder

00:10:48