Written By Jasmine Kaur
Introduction
The brain is a highly complex organ and plays a vital role in how we experience and process emotions. Emotions, defined by Dr. Robert Levenson as "short-lived psychological-physiological phenomena that represent efficient modes of adaptation to changing environmental demands" are a quintessential part of the human experience, influencing our thoughts, behaviours and well-being. Understanding how the brain processes emotions is important because it would allow us to navigate through life more effectively, make better decisions, and help us to better understand and create more effective treatment strategies for mental disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
Limbic System
The limbic system is the part of the brain involved in our emotional responses, especially behaviours needed for survival, like eating, reproduction, caring for our young, and fight or flight responses. It is among the oldest parts of the brain in evolutionary terms and is often referred to as the emotional nervous system. The structures of the limbic system can be found buried deep within the brain, underneath the cerebral cortex and above the brainstem. The thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and basal ganglia are also involved in the actions of the limbic system, but two of the major structures are the hippocampus and the amygdala.
Amygdala
The amygdala is the brain's centre of emotions, emotional behaviour, and motivation. Its name refers to its almond-like shape. Located next to the hippocampus, it plays a central role in our emotional responses, including feelings like pleasure, fear, anxiety and anger. The amygdala also attaches emotional content to our memories, and so plays an important role in determining how well those memories are stored. Memories that have strong emotional meaning are more likely to be remembered. While the amygdala’s responses can alert us when we are unsafe or need to take steps to manage stress, the amygdala can also become overactive in trauma survivors, contributing to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, research shows that the amygdala plays a role in mood disorders, including major depressive disorder.
Hippocampus
Like many parts of the brain’s limbic system, the hippocampus is involved in memory, learning, and emotion. It is associated with the consolidation of episodic memories, which are memories of personally experienced events and their associated emotions. The hippocampus is also where short-term memories are turned into long-term memories. Moreover, it plays a role in emotional processing, including anxiety and avoidance behaviour.
Frontal Lobe
The frontal lobe plays a role in regulating emotions in interpersonal relationships and social situations. These include positive (happiness, gratitude, satisfaction) as well as negative (anger, jealousy, pain, sadness) emotions. People with damage to the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe area face difficulty in controlling the emotions of anger and aggression. The most famous example is Phineas Gage, a railway foreman who suffered an accident that sent a large iron rod through this part of the brain. According to the reports of his physician, he was more emotional and impulsive shortly after the accident.
Neurotransmitters and Hormones
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry signals between neurons and target cells throughout the body. They work constantly to keep our brains functioning, managing everything from breathing to heartbeat to learning and concentration levels. They can also affect various psychological functions such as fear, mood, pleasure, and joy. Hormones are molecular substances that allow different parts of the body to signal to and communicate with one another. They help to regulate much of the organism’s physiology and behaviour including, sleep, digestion, sexual function, stress, and mood. An increase in hormones like oxytocin and dopamine can cause feelings of happiness, contentment, or excitement, while drops in hormones like estrogen and progesterone may trigger negatively charged mood swings. Dips in testosterone may correlate with low mood, and excessive testosterone may trigger rage or aggression.
Conclusion
Emotion is not just processed through one part of our brain but relies on several interwoven networks involving the structures of the limbic system, the frontal lobe, hormones, neurotransmitters, and more, all of which work together to create our emotional responses. It is important to continue studying the brain's role in emotions to gain more insight into human behaviour and well-being.
References
(Amy Marschall, 2023)Amy Marschall, P. (2023, May 17). The role of the amygdala in human behavior and emotion. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-role-of-the-amygdala-in-human-behavior-and-emotion-7499223
(Amygdala, n.d.)Amygdala. (n.d.). Physiopedia. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://www.physio-pedia.com/Amygdala
(Hippocampus, n.d.)Hippocampus. (n.d.). Physiopedia. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hippocampus
(Hippocampus: What to know, n.d.)Hippocampus: What to know. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://www.webmd.com/brain/hippocampus-what-to-know
(“Hormones,” n.d.)Hormones. (n.d.). Psychology Today. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/hormones
(Kendra Cherry, 2010)Kendra Cherry, M. (2010, February 17). How neurotransmitters work and what they do. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-neurotransmitter-2795394
(Pressman, 2013)Pressman, P. (2013, July 30). The science of emotions. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-science-of-emotions-2488708
(Research leaders, 2017)Research leaders. (2017, November 10). The limbic system. Edu.au. https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/brain-anatomy/limbic-system
(Shaikh, n.d.)Shaikh, J. (n.d.). What emotions does the frontal lobe control? MedicineNet. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://www.medicinenet.com/what_emotions_does_the_frontal_lobe_control/article.htm
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