Deciphering Emotions: The Chemical Choreography of the Human Experience
What are emotions?
Emotions, from a scientific perspective, are essentially the result of chemical exchanges occurring within the human brain in response to various situations. These chemicals can include dopamine, adrenaline, oxytocin, and many others. It is this complex chemical dance that underpins our emotional experiences.
The range of emotions we can experience is vast. We might feel enthusiastic, curious, stressed, annoyed, irritated, loved, lost, mournful, happy, sad, exhausted, relieved, amazed, and so much more. These emotions are influenced by our mental state, which, in turn, can be shaped by external factors or self-generated through our thoughts and perceptions, often driven by overthinking.
Sharing emotions is a non-verbal form of communication with the brain. Our emotions are often expressed through our facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. These non-verbal cues allow us to convey our inner states to others.
How Are Emotions Generated?
Consider a situation when you are facing a Lion. If you are not known to the threat of Lion then you will stay calm and wait to see what it does, here you are excited to see the reaction of an animal, you are also curious what action will that animal will take, you have also planned in some corner of your brain that if it comes near to you, you will pamper it as you pamper your pet and this is an emotion of affection towards Lion.
Now, consider another scenario if you knew that Lion is harmful, and it might kill you. And this knowledge changes everything, you might run from that place, that is the emotion of fear, you might have stuck because you are frightened, you might have a heart attack because it gave you a sudden shock, if the person is hunter, then he/she might attack. After all, they want to save their life because they are aware of the knowledge of how Lion might react.
So, the point I am trying to make is emotions depend upon the knowledge that we have about a particular moment. Sometimes we overthink and we get nervous or stressed or anxious or we fear, or we just think that everything is going easy-peasy, and we are happy, without knowing the outcome. And this creates a bucket of emotions. Which should not happen. Staying happy is good and positive, no doubt in that, but overthinking and producing false emotions will ruin your mental peace.
The Purpose of Emotions
Emotions are directly connected to the enzymes and chemicals that are released in the brain. One could feel nervous and confident at the same stage. Whenever they are starting something, they are nervous, but once they are set, they are confident as well.
Emotions are there to describe the state of mind. How one is feeling about the situation or circumstances. And it displays a lot about personality. Emotions are visible from the outside. The way we behave and the way we communicate everything displays our emotions.
Emotions are there to maintain self in some sort of boundaries to have some realizations. One can understand the emotion of anger or love by realizations. But it is difficult for oneself to discover how one feels. So, sometimes others tell us how we fell for someone, or how rude we behaved. Since our intention was not so.
What are human emotions?
Human emotions are merely the secretion of chemicals and hormones, which affect the behavior and personality of a person. The emission of hormones and chemicals depends on which situation the person is in, or the food they had consumed, or the mental state of a person.
What are kinds of emotions?
Emotions come in various forms, such as affection, hope, anger, anxiety, boredom, confidence, curiosity, depression, envy, euphoria, fear, gratitude, horror, interest, shame, rage, regret, lust, panic, trust, sorrow, suffering, zeal, zest, satisfaction, joy, jealousy, loathing, loneliness, grief, guilt, happiness, laughter, and outrage, among others. These emotions are the result of specific chemical reactions in the brain, and they are often evident in our facial expressions, as our expressions can reveal more about our emotions than words ever could.
The Role of Hormones and Chemicals
Several hormones and chemicals in our bodies influence our emotions. According to research, serotonin is often referred to as the “Happiness Hormone,” oxytocin as the “Bonding Hormone” or “Love Hormone,” endorphins as natural “Pain Relievers,” dopamine as a “Motivational and Rewarding Chemical,” and GABA as a “Brain Activity Regulator Hormone,” among others.
The Essence of Happiness
Happiness, in essence, is the result of the secretion of serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. It’s that feeling of pleasure, humor, laughter, and love that arises when we experience something delightful.
Now answering out of the scientific terms, happiness is merely pleasure, humor, laughter, and love. It happens when we are watching a humorous video, we feel good and happy. Now the question is why we feel happy when we watch humorous videos or talks. It is because we have experienced that moment and we didn’t notice it. But when someone else describes the same situation, we feel it is stupid and moronic and we get excited with that emotion, and we get laughter. Now, Wait for 2 min and think for something that you did was stupid, and I guarantee you, you will laugh.
And when you laugh, Endorphins get released in your body and this hormone works as a pain reliever that will hide your pain from the brain and you will not be aware of it.
The same goes with Dopamine too. When you do some tasks, and somebody praises you. You feel better, and you will work more to hear the same praising again and again. It is because Dopamine is released when someone praises you for the task or activity or challenge or any small work you have accomplished. You may not need anyone else to praise. You can praise yourself by giving a treat to yourself, a small treat will also work. Always praise yourself and make yourself feel confident in every situation.
Oxytocin also plays an important role in happiness. It is released when you are attracted to someone or you are having intercourse, or you are giving a hug or having a hug from someone. Oxytocin is also released when you are having physical contact with your pet or your favorite toy or anything that shares your affection. This hormone also helps to calm your anxiety or arousal down. This is the reason when anybody is in trouble or pain, a good gesture of hug or hand on the shoulder or a slight kiss can reduce the pain and gives relief.
How laughter affects personality?
Laughter can change the mood and can prevent mood from becoming anxious or nervous. This trick helps when you are giving an interview, or you are standing up against a huge crowd. Because when you wear a smile on your face, endorphin helps to reduce stress and boosts positivity and confidence. It reduces the stress of being judged or failing. Laughter also hides your nervous facial expression and makes your face look fresh.
What does most entertainment industry provide?
As we talk about the culture that is trending everywhere is laughter shows late-night shows, Vines on YouTube, Morning laughter club and all. And they are mostly aired on Saturdays and Sundays. Because they help to lighten the mood and boost the brain for the upcoming week. And it also helps to release the stress of the whole week.
And due to these all reasons, medical science also supports Laughter therapy and asks all old age people to laugh more and more. So that their heart and brain can function properly and efficiently.
This is how emotions are generated and you might have also learned the way how can have control over them. Some foods can help to boost your endorphin levels and gives you happiness.
Nowadays we are wearing masks on our face to hide the real emotion. This article is to know your inners elf, who you are really.
Please mention your views and comments that will help others as well as help me understand the readers.
