Emotions and the brain

Emotions and the brain

The amygdala receives information from eyes, ears and other sensory organs.

The amygdala then signals to the rest of the brain and nervous system how to respond. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1044045074 page 101. https://medivizor.com/blog/2017/02/09/amygdala-stress-heart-attack/

When the amygdala starts to have an emotional impulse such as a threat, it sends the signal to the prefrontal cortex, which can often manage it well.

The prefrontal cortex can say, “I don't have to get angry or be afraid right now. I can do something more productive.� http://www.beobachter.ch/leben-gesundheit/wohlfuehlen-praevention/artikel/betagte-menschen_beweglicher-als-man-denkt/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/emotional-balance-make-break-skill-leaders-daniel-goleman

When you feel drawn to another person, it is the orbitofrontal cortex in your brain, i.e. the lower third of the prefrontal cortex just above your eyes, that works to give you

an emotional feeling of wanting to move closer. http://www.beobachter.ch/leben-gesundheit/wohlfuehlen-praevention/artikel/betagte-menschen_beweglicher-als-man-denkt/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2294590443 Pages 11-12.

If the amygdala finds a threat when scanning the environment, it reacts by taking control over the prefrontal cortex, making quick judgments for us and telling us what to do. During this time of fear, we are neither thinking, learning, or planning.

The problem is that the amygdala directs us to actions that are habits, actions that have often been learned in childhood and are no longer appropriate. Therefore, you later think, “I wish I hadn't done that, it didn’t work.” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/emotional-balance-make-break-skill-leaders-daniel-goleman http://youtu.be/r8fcqrNO7so minute 18.

When you experience a threat, your

thalamus sends this information to your amygdala.

The amygdala asks your hippocampus whether you have previous memories that might inform you as to how to behave in the situation now.

If your hippocampus shoots back fearful emotional memories, your respond with fear.

Sources http://bionoid.net/index.php?c=blog&f=itemview&i=3 http://www.strategy-business.com/article/11109?pg=all https://welldoing.org/article/neuroscience-emotions

Your hippocampus helps the brain learn about, remember and interpret experiences.

For example, if you see a bear on a field, your hippocampus helps you feel fear. However, when you see the same lion at a zoo, your hippocampus helps you to feel happy. https://medivizor.com/blog/2017/02/09/amygdala-stress-heart-attack/ https://www.news-medical.net/health/Hippocampus-Functions.aspx https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-happens-brain-feel-fear-180966992/ http://yourbrainhealth.com.au/brain-process-emotions/

Your hypothalamus responds to different emotions

that you feel by creating and releasing the hormones into the bloodstream to balance the body.

Examples  If the hypothalamus receives a signal that the internal temperature in the body is too high, it will tell the body to sweat.  If the hypothalamus receives a signal about a threat, it can make your heart beat faster and make your breathing increase.  The hypothalamus also informs us that we are hungry or thirsty. http://brainmadesimple.com/hypothalamus.html https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312628.php https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/5-ways-your-brain-influences-your-emotions3.htm https://www.sharecare.com/health/brain/how-laughter-affect-brain

The hypothalamus sends signals to the adrenal glands to produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

These hormones can, for example,  reduce activity in the stomach which explains the feeling of “butterflies” in the stomach and/or  hinder production of tears and salivation which explains the dry mouth that comes with fear. http://www.brainleadersandlearners.com/general/the-brain-on-cortisol/ https://www.healthline.com/health/what-part-of-the-brain-controls-emotions

When the amygdala stimulates the hypothalamus, it initiates the fight-or-flight response.

Sources http://bionoid.net/index.php?c=blog&f=itemview&i=3 http://www.brainleadersandlearners.com/general/the-brain-on-cortisol/ https://www.healthline.com/health/what-part-of-the-brain-controls-emotions https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-happens-brain-feel-fear-180966992/ http://www.strategy-business.com/article/11109?pg=all https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-amygdala-definition-role-function.html http://yourbrainhealth.com.au/brain-process-emotions/

Since the almond-shaped amygdala has been shown to increase in size with stress, the reduction of the amygdala may be linked to stress reduction.

https://medivizor.com/blog/2017/02/09/amygdala-stress-heart-attack/

The parietal lobe receives and interprets feelings such as  touch.  temperature.  pressure.  pain.

http://www.beobachter.ch/leben-gesundheit/wohlfuehlen-praevention/artikel/betagte-menschen_beweglicher-als-man-denkt/

When you feel compassion, the periaqueductal gray lights up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWs6bf7tvI