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

Gareth Mullins with some great...

00:07:47

Gareth Mullins with some great lunch box fillers

The Pat Kenny Show

00:07:47


Colson Whitehead on his new no...

00:14:22

Colson Whitehead on his new novel, ‘Cool Machine’

The Pat Kenny Show

00:14:22


Motoring with Ger Herbert

00:10:00

Motoring with Ger Herbert

The Pat Kenny Show

00:10:00


Cancer vaccines & breakthr...

00:09:48

Cancer vaccines & breakthrough narcolepsy drugs with Prof Luke O’Neill

The Pat Kenny Show

00:09:48