How Do Emotions Change the Way Our Brain Works?

Neuroplasticity is a fancy word that means our brain can change itself. It makes new connections that help us learn, grow, and recover from injuries. One important thing to know is that our feelings play a big role in this process and can change how our brain develops.

How Emotions Affect Neuroplasticity

1. Stress and the Brain: Too much stress can be bad for our brain’s ability to change. When we’re stressed, our body makes a hormone called cortisol. High levels of cortisol can cause:

   • The hippocampus, which helps us learn and remember things, to shrink by about 14% if we're always stressed.
   • Problems with making new connections in our brain, which can lead to difficulties in thinking and remembering long-term.

2. Positive Emotions: On the other hand, feeling good can help our brain strengthen itself. Studies show that:

   • Doing things that make us happy can boost a special protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which helps create new brain cells.
   • People who practice gratitude, or thankfulness, have stronger connections in the part of the brain that helps control emotions and decision-making.

3. Emotional Learning: Our emotions can also help us learn better. For example:

   • When we feel strong emotions while learning, we remember things better—up to 20% more!
   • Brain scans show that when we feel emotions, a part of our brain called the amygdala helps the hippocampus do a better job of storing memories.

How Changes Happen: The Role of Brain Chemicals

Brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are important in how our emotions change our brain. Here are a couple of key ones:

• Dopamine: This chemical helps us feel motivated and excited. When we have more dopamine, it can make it easier for our brain to learn new things. Studies show that better dopamine activity can boost our learning speed by as much as 50%.
• Serotonin: This chemical helps us feel happy and balanced. Research shows that having enough serotonin might help our brain grow and create up to 30% more connections in areas that need it.

What It Means for Mental Health

Knowing how emotions and brain changes work together can help us treat different mental health issues. For example:

• Depression: For people with depression, the changes in their brain can make their symptoms worse. Studies suggest that those with depression may have 20% less BDNF, which means they struggle to make new brain connections.
• Anxiety: Changes in the brain from strong emotions can lead to more anxiety. Therapy that helps people manage their emotions can create positive brain changes that help them feel better.

Conclusion

Our emotions have a big effect on how our brain changes and functions. Understanding this can help us see how our feelings shape our thinking and mental health. As research continues, it’s clear that having positive feelings is crucial for keeping our brains healthy and strong.