Emotions are complex and diverse. Psychologists have divided them into six categories. They are: happiness, anger, sadness, fear, surprise, and disgust. These emotions are the main components of our mood set. They come together to create a beautiful and emotional spectrum of the human mind. For example, jealousy is like a mixture of anger and pain, while satisfaction is only one form of happiness.
Recent research has delved deeper into the brain. It shows that moods brighten in response to these core emotions in specific areas. Especially the limbic system. It is like the brain that responds to various stimuli. That causes a chain reaction of nervous system activity. Have you ever thought about how the human brain performs such functions? Specific areas in the brain are activated every time a specific emotion is felt. Most of these areas belong to the limbic system and affect emotions.
Where Emotions Live in the Brain
Studies using PET scans and functional MRIs have helped us pinpoint which brain areas are more active when we experience different emotions.
Happiness: When we’re happy, our brain lights up in several spots. There is activity in the right frontal cortex, the precuneus, the left amygdala, and the left insula. It’s like a network of areas working together to bring the feeling of joy. The frontal cortex and insula help us to be aware of our feelings. An emotional reaction happens in the amygdala.
Fear: When we feel fear, our amygdala, hypothalamus, and parts of the left frontal lobe kick into gear. It is a combination of the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and the response from the hypothalamus.
Sadness: Processing the sadness is a bit more complex. The right occipital lobe, left insula, left thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus all show more activity. The hippocampus is closely tied to memory, so thinking about specific past experiences often makes us sad.
Disgust: Disgust is funny—it’s all about wanting to avoid something. The brain regions involved here are the left amygdala, the left inferior frontal cortex, and the insular cortex. They work together to create that “ugh, no thanks” reaction when we encounter something gross.
Anger: This emotion can be quite intense, as indicated by the brain’s response. Key regions involved in processing anger include the right hippocampus, amygdala, and both sides of the prefrontal and insular cortices. These areas assist us in understanding and managing anger, particularly when it becomes overwhelming.
Surprise: Whether it’s a pleasant or unpleasant surprise, this emotion engages the inferior frontal gyrus and the hippocampus. The hippocampus, again, is all about memory, which makes sense since surprise often comes from something unexpected—something we weren’t prepared for.
Brain Diseases and Emotional Shifts
Interestingly, brain diseases can also affect how we process emotions. Localized damage to a specific brain area might cause someone to react differently emotionally. But even more widespread conditions, like multiple sclerosis or small vessel disease, can cause broader emotional changes that sometimes manifest as personality shifts.
Health professionals watch this closely because, as neurological diseases progress, they often affect how patients handle emotions. This is a reminder of how connected our feelings are to how our brains work!
In summary, emotions are deeply rooted in the brain. And the way we feel is intricately connected to specific regions within our limbic system. Be it happiness, anger, or surprise. Each emotion activates different parts of the brain that determine how we feel and respond. Understanding this connection helps shed light on the complexity of human emotion. But it also emphasizes brain health’s impact on our emotional health. As we explore the brain’s role in processing emotions, we will have a greater appreciation for how our emotions result from our biology and reflect our inner experiences.
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Writer
Fardeen Bin Abdullah
Intern,
Content Writing Department
YSSE.