In this episode, we explore how emotions work. We examine how they are created and why they matter so much. We also discuss when emotions don’t matter and when we should ignore them.

HOW THEY WORK

Lisa Feldman Barrett ‘How Emotions are Made’

Our brains make predictions

We experience affect  Valence & Arousal

Interroception: What we feel inside Sensory Input: What we sense outside Concepts: What this is like

Our brain regulates our body budget Use concept to decide on emotion

WHY THEY MATTER

Release of chemicals and hormones inside of us Allocate resources to balance body budget Influence us in terms of what we can do

Source of information and even wisdom in terms of ‘gut feelings’

Guide us in terms of what we like and what we don’t

When we are taken advantage of we can get angry When our status is in danger, we can get scared When 

They make us human.

Love. Compassion. Ecstasy. 

Birth of a Baby. Laughing with a friend.

WHEN THEY DON’T MATTER

Our brains aren’t optimized for happiness

They are optimized for survival in the jungle.

Nowadays, huge adrenaline surge isn’t as useful as it was.

As such, they focus on danger, drama and desire.

We become addicted to extreme emotions

Our feelings often mask the truth. Feelings vs Facts.

Drug Addiction, Anger, Falling in Love - Craziness