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: Practical Magic...

00:12:18

Movies and TV: Practical Magic 2, The Paper, Mayday

The Hard Shoulder

00:12:18


The Last Days of Dalymount cel...

00:05:50

The Last Days of Dalymount celebrates music in the football ground

The Hard Shoulder

00:05:50


9/11 commemorations on the 25t...

00:10:44

9/11 commemorations on the 25th anniversary - Emily Keegan Reports

The Hard Shoulder

00:10:44


Are mid-rise apartments an ans...

00:05:38

Are mid-rise apartments an answer to our housing crisis?

The Hard Shoulder

00:05:38