Which Part of the Brain Controls Emotions?

What are emotions?

We often feel excitement, anger, fear, happiness, surprise, disgust and sadness. These feelings are called emotions by scientists . Emotions play an important role in how people live their lives. They also impact how people engage with each other. The decisions that people make on a daily basis are also influenced by emotions.

Where do fear, anger, happiness, and love come from?

Have you ever wondered which part of the brain controls emotions? The brain plays an important role in how people control and process their emotions. However, scientists still do not have all the information about the role of the brain in a range of emotions. Scientists have identified where the common emotions come from. They have shown that these emotions are processed by a network of brain areas.

What part of the brain controls emotions?

Scientists have identified a group of interconnected structures within the brain as being responsible for controlling the more common emotions. This group of structures is known as the limbic system. This system is located deep within the brain.

Scientists use very fancy cameras, called MRI cameras , to study how the brain processes our emotions. These cameras are able to take images of all the organs inside the body.

The limbic system

Scientists do not yet know the full list of areas that make up the limbic system. However, they have recognized four areas as the main components of this system. These areas include the hypothalamus, amygdala, thalamus, and hippocampus. Even though these areas have their own purpose, they all work together to control emotions.

Components of the limbic system

Emotions are linked to the activation of different parts of the limbic system. Just like good friends, the components of the limbic system work together to process our emotions. Fear activates the amygdala. The hippocampus is strongly linked with memory. Sadness is linked to the activation of the thalamus, amygdala and hippocampus. Many people feel anger. However, most of the people try to control anger. This emotion activates the hippocampus and amygdala.

What happens when we fail to process our emotions?

We often try to control our emotions. This process is called “emotion regulation”. It is very important that we learn to control our emotions, especially the negative ones. If we cannot control negative emotions, we might end up hurting the people we love.

Ways in which emotions affect our health

Scientists have shown that having constant fear can lead to anxiety, while happiness has been linked with a longer lifespan. Constant sadness is linked with poor physical health, and anger is thought to lead to illnesses including heart disease and behaviours like smoking. It is good to experience different emotions. However, we should develop ways of expressing them in a way that does not negatively affect our health.

New information on emotions is needed

Scientists are still busy studying the brain. More information that emerges will help us learn more about where our complex emotions come from. This new information will also help doctors to help children with difficulty controlling their negative emotions.

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Flesch Kincaid Grade Level: 7.6

Glossary

MRI cameras: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cameras.

References

Cherry, K. Emotions and Types of Emotional Responses. Updated on February 25, 2022. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-emotions-2795178#toc-frequently-asked-questions-05c24c9b-1e06-4331-b61a-713d8c869fac

Cherry, K. The 6 Types of Basic Emotions and Their Effect on Human Behavior. Updated on December 01, 2022. https://www.verywellmind.com/an-overview-of-the-types-of-emotions-4163976

Moawad, H. How the Brain Processes Emotions. June 6, 2017. https://www.neurologylive.com/view/how-brain-processes-emotions

Raschle, N.M., Tshomba, E., Menks, W.M., Fehlbaum, L.V and Stadler, C. Emotions and the Brain – Or How to Master “The Force”. September 12, 2016. https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2016.00016

Tudor, A. The Anatomy of Feelings: What Part of the Brain Controls Emotions? February 19, 2023. https://blog.mindvalley.com/what-part-of-the-brain-controls-emotions/

What Part of the Brain Controls Emotions? https://www.healthline.com/health/what-part-of-the-brain-controls-emotions#the-limbic-system

What Part of Brain Controls Emotions? And How Does Chronic Stress Affect the Brain? October 13, 2021. https://motherhoodcommunity.com/what-part-of-brain-controls-emotions-and-how-does-chronic-stress-affect-the-brain/