Emotions Why they matter and when they dont

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