You aren't at the mercy of your emotions -- your brain creates them | Lisa Feldman Barrett

[@BLTspace]

As someone who's dealt with depression and anxiety my whole life I knew there would be comments about these very things and shutting down the point of this video. I will agree that NO not everyone can just "think" their way out of depression... but just the act alone of typing that comment is building future feelings about your depression. That is literally the point of this talk. It's not about telling yourself how tough your depression is over and over and over and over, constantly building future bad feelings about depression. It's about changing your thinking to embrace the challenges, turn them into positives, and start building good future feelings. I'm not trying to sound perfect here cause i'm not, but I feel if your response to the video is "This definitely won't help me, i'm way to depressed for this."... then you've completely missed the message and just built more future bad feelings for yourself. As I said not every case is the same and not everyone can pull themselves out... but with all due respect i'd bet the majority of you could. For some it actually becomes their comfort zone... you become so used to being miserable that you really don't want to change. I say this from experience. Bottom line is it really is all on you. This talk hit home and strangely right at a time I needed to hear it. Thank you.

[@lovelight2577]

BLTspace what about depression without sadness?

[@aioden]

Thanks for saying this man :)

[@NiceOCGuy1981]

I agree that its harder for some to get over it, but you can't let it bring you down.

[@tygulick]

BLTspace Great comment! Thank you for sharing!!

[@tygulick]

@@lovelight2577 Hi Love Light. Can you elaborate a little more? I do not fully understand. Please know you are not alone in your struggle. We are one human family.

[@BooksWithBrandywine]

In one of my classes they taught us that nervousness and excitement feel the same and that you can flip the switch and turn nervousness into excitement because of that. Ever since then when I'm nervous about an appointment or meeting someone I tell myself over and over that I'm excoted and it works!

[@ngocthachtruong9889]

Yeah, I absolutely agree with you. They are so similar that our brain cannot differentiate. And what I usually do is to create a positive anchor connected to a specific behaviour so that I can easily feel it in the long run.

[@gratefulkm]

When being beaten to death you can do the same , turn the agony into joy

[@Buildings1772]

wow interesting. what course was this class apart of?

[@Chrisko1492]

@@gratefulkm You are not as funny, as you think you are.

[@rahulmodi8706]

That’s what gold and silver medalist do they feel excited. Some of the others feel nervous

[@ella17734]

Teaching this approach in primary and middle school years and as part of mental health programs would be so beneficial.

[@realgaylife]

100% agreed!

[@tommymarco9988]

agreed

[@oraoffice9562]

Exactly what I was thinking while watching towards the end of this video!

[@missclik1419]

who ?? from the politician which can make this and other usefull theories part of the educational system, want for people to be more inteligent ... if there wasnt the internet we ourselfes ,wouldnt have the oportunity to know and explore theese concepts

[@SlyNine]

Except I don't see any evidence or even a good argument for her claim. Humans are not blank slates.

[@zackarysun297]

"Sometimes we are responsible for something not because we are to blame, but because we are the only ones who can change it" I loved this bit

[@patrickparker4576]

I think this understanding is where basic responsibility comes from. 🤔👍💯

[@thebutterflycoachingeffect]

same! i actually wrote it down in my notes. i think it is so powerful to help those suffering from feelings of guilt or shame.

[@TheMcKenzieHaus]

I totally understand what she means. Sometimes it’s not you, it’s your body talking to you. Sometimes that anxiety is because you had too much coffee at once and my body doesn’t understand why there is so much caffeine that day. Your lack of patience is because your body doesn’t want to focus on anything else until you provide it energy to do so. Some thoughts are not “yours”, it’s your body communicating with you. Telling the difference between the two voices can bring a lot of relief.

[@patrickryan1515]

Good translation here. Per my experiences of being overly emotional in the past, I have over the years given serious thought to this subject and have come to nearly the same conclusions as this speaker. Very liberating!

[@JustMe-of6iz]

W comment totally agree

[@CanwegetSubscriberswithn-cu2it]

"Your body" is you. They are not separate.

[@racmorr007]

It's all about mindset. Change your mindset, Change your emotions. Say you just went through a breakup. Painful yes, but why did you break up? Were you unappreciated? Was the person emotionally unavailable? Was the other person abusive? Were you emotionally unavailable? Were you the problem? Did you just grow apart? Analyzing the facts and rationally reasoning it out instead of falling into a blubbering heap, can actually help you not only heal, but have a healthier relationship in future. Same thing for decision making. Recognize where the decision is coming from, is it a place of rational thought or fear? What are you afraid of? Then ask and answer the question, what is the worst that can happen, and deal with it starting from a best case scenario. Powerful thing, the mind.

[@soner818]

Emotional people are not logical analysts, they are immersed in emotions and do not reason. Your method only works for people who are skeptical thinkers.

[@zain4019]

Soner The difference between “emotional” and “logical” people is not that pronounced. Logicians feel emotions and sensitive ones are able to reason.

[@marikotambini1207]

nothing you said here resembles what I heard the speaker say. I hope your perception of the talk helps you. that's fine. No judgement here. The way you expressed yourself, however, would never in a million years help me.

[@noodlesmccheesecakes7733]

Say that to someone with alexithymia

[@midassnap9028]

Sometimes it's so bad you don't want to analyze it. Sometimes you just don't care, everything seems useless, like a waste of time. It's how I felt after my marriage ended. Time healed it but a lot of damage was done.

[@HugoCoolDude]

Loving how bluntly the scientist proclaims her findings. A jury can never and has never accurately detected regret or any emotion, neither can I, neither can you. Very matter of factly, no bullshit. If only all experts would be so bold..

[@Plokumfup]

I don't think she was talking about emotion detection in the colloquial sense, but the literal sense. It's like me saying 'you're reading my comment' rather than 'my thoughts are entering your brain through your eyes, by complex "constructions" of words into a keyboard that's getting transferred into digital units and presented as pixels on your screen.' one is colloquial, one is literal.

[@jordantueno8382]

Torin McCabe I bet if u run the texts she did 1000 times u would probably get different results that's y there are other people saying different things but just because her talk was not 100% correct doesn't mean it was bad

[@mhtinla]

Psychology is not exactly science. Not yet. Psychology to science is like alchemy to chemistry. Keep trying (not being sarcastic).

[@AQGOAT24]

Comparing it to alchemy is idiotic too. Psychologists do run experiments and such using the scientific method. I do agree that it's very primitive right now, but they definitely attempt to study things scientifically.

[@mhtinla]

AQGOAT24 You are an idiot. Alchemists also ran all types of experiment using primitive methods they thought make sense.

[@itsmuimui]

"If you are not at the mercy of mythical emotional circuits which are buried deep inside your brain somewhere and which trigger automatically, then who's responsible? Who's responsible when you behave badly? You are." "Sometimes we are responsible for something not because we are to blame but because we're the only ones who can change it." Great talk demonstrating individual responsibility over emotional experience without invalidating the experiences themselves, or the individual; but in pointing out the relationship between sensation and emotion, Dr. Barrett shows how we can LEARN to be conscious navigators of our emotional lives and not just helpless passengers awaiting emotional determinism.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Everyone has a different amount of black karma and the only way to remove it is by learning a great spiritual practice and Falun Dafa is that practice.

[@zephyrwayfarer]

I've had to, over the past several years, restructure my schema so that my brain makes completely different predictions in order to overcome a great deal of trauma from when I was barely old enough to form memories. This has been done through repetition and focusing on new experiences. My point is I'm living proof that this is true. I've dealt with fear and anger and loneliness my entire life, and every time I have those predictions made by my emotions not come true, the easier it is to thrive and find the place to belong that I've been searching for.

[@skipwood1353]

Raine L what a brilliant concept, can you tell me how you achieved this please?

[@deBeauvoir]

Skip Wood He probably did sessions of schema psychotherapy.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

You need a great teacher, just like everyone else, Falun Dafa.

[@eaumartineau7890]

In general she's telling us to RE-THINK our perceptions.

[@YapReviews]

Let go Accept great I guess I’ll skip to the next video then 😂

[@johnsell6870]

I agree! Not viewing our emotions as bad has helped me a ton. I also think it's important to create a parent/child relationship for help with validation, like in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXeYmYiPZ9-jZpY

[@cacique3389]

@@johnsell6870 sorry your link is unavailable, can you elaborate more on the child/parent relationship. Please and thank you

[@Eikinkloster]

In general putting ordinary words in ALL CAPS doesn't make them any more significant

[@MrMuertoloco]

Understanding the mechanics of stoicism

[@kritanjaytripathi3888]

person like me who goes helpless in the hands of his emotions...needed it.. indian ancient philosophy says it more philosophically : you are the creater, not victim of situations. loved it on scientific note...

[@dieterheinrich8377]

I think she is saying you are the creator of your response to situations.

[@DonWoschto]

Did you go through with it?

[@charleylee6574]

wanted to like this but 111 likes seemed fitting !

[@chanuppuluri8726]

Thank you I needed to read this comment

[@nanette9061]

I'm autistic and this makes so much sense to me. I've told my therapist so often that I have no idea what I'm feeling cause it could be so many things, and I always feel like I have to guess what I feel. And to guess how others feel. And now, while watching this I wonder why I was even evaluated on how much I was able to read others. What if I'm not supposed to? Maybe autistic folks like me were just aware all along that we know nothing and we just shouldn't assume things like feelings. Why were we the weird one for not wanting to guess?

[@chrisboyd4433]

Adult-diagnosed spectrum member here. It takes a HUGE amount of energy for me to try and figure out what emotions I am feeling. When someone asks me how I am feeling, or what I feel about something, my brain kicks into overdrive trying to figure out the right emotion to apply . It can pretty much paralyze my thoughts. If this happens in the middle of a conversation, I basically shutdown.

[@Weenpuncher]

Excellent point

[@TheJillianJiggss]

Absolutely. I feel the same about my PTSD diagnosis, its not a disorder, nothings wrong with my reaction to what happened to me and its also a power dynamic for doctors and clinicals to tell me what my symptoms and labels are.

[@eliferdogan5859]

What you have written is profound.. really something to think about..

[@annawalker2429]

Thank you

[@clapahr6]

This way of looking at your emotions is spot on. I like using the example of coming from a break up. If you see it as a loss and like you’ll never find someone else, then you’ll feel sad and depressed. But if you look at it as an opportunity to learn and maybe find someone better( after all there are billions of people in the world) then you’ll feel much better emotions. Not saying that a break up isn’t heartbreaking, but the way you look at it and the emotions you start to create with in yourself, affect your healing process.

[@BBRR442]

"Change yourself don't blame yourself" -responsibility

[@lilyjane1011]

say that to mental health sufferers...

[@nvngamergirl2730]

Yes ❤

[@marikotambini1207]

This talk helped me. As a lifelong sufferer of depression, this talk changed things for me. I'm using this information now, and these are the best answers I've ever heard.

[@Kamaltweet]

Would be interested to know how this has helped you? I’m thinking next time I’m nervous or sad then the thought that my brain is trying to protect me based of my past experiences sounds quite comforting to me at the moment.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Try falun Dafa and learn who you are.

[@JkennGG]

Has it really though? How so?

[@BitaAsakura]

More control on your emotions means more responsibility. Beautiful. You are the only one who can change you. You’re in charge.

[@degrandi136]

sure!

[@zhubajie6940]

The Stoics were correct then. It is not the sense input but the judgment of that input.

[@MatthewJohnCrittenden]

I read the The Daily Stoic book every day and can recommend it for putting life (and your place in it) into perspective.

[@nichoudha]

The Stoics are complete trash and lead to nothing but a revolting nihilism.

[@pennymac16]

Jarin Jove I would agree that stoicism is not to be taken as the ultimate way of leading one's life. However, I do find it useful for insights that help you cope with the world and on your path of personal development.

[@smartcatcollarproject5699]

Please read about personality types, Jung, Myers-Brigg, etc...some types judge, other not.

[@Melissab704]

It informed the most utilized evidence based therapeutic interventions: CBT and DBT.

[@murdermittensnyc]

As someone functionally deaf, she is spot on about predictions. The vast majority of my conversations depend on predictions. Until ive learned someone’s speaking pattern and vocabulary i can only “hear” them when i see their full face. Once i have your vocab and inflection down, my brain is always listening for you. It’s really an incredible instrument. Exhausting when i meet a bunch of new ppl all at once, but really cool.

[@flutefun999]

OMG!!! You just described me to a tee! (I am also functionally deaf, no ear at all on the left side and partial hearing on the right one). But I never thought about it the way you just wrote it! That's why I can be at home with my family and "hear" them even though they are far across the room, but in a social setting, even a quiet one, if I don't know the person, I don't hardly hear them at all even though they are right next to me, I have to watch their face/lips etc. I am so glad you wrote this post! It makes so much sense!

[@murdermittensnyc]

@@flutefun999 It makes no sense to hearing people but your brain is cranking in overdrive listening for your tribe. ♥♥

[@littlesockd880]

I do see some validity in what she says but at the same time my experience has taught me that it is not always possible to decide what you feel. I had depression and anxiety for many years and when I was 17 I stumbled on websites which promoted this approach of: “rewiring your brain, you can control your emotions, if you keep thinking positively it will become your habit.“ I believe there is some validity to it, but it certainly doesnt work for everyone and always and depends on your situation. I tried hard to do in this in order to stop feeling anxious and depressed and whatever not but it worked only very limited with me. In the end, what helped me stop feeling depressed an anxious was when I started therapy (with a very good an empathetic therapist. My luck cause I really dont believe from experience all therapists are good). Finally I allowed myself to feel those feelings of anger, sadness and loneliness from my childhood and I wasnt shamed or punished for feeling and expressing them. I resolved a lot of painful memory and painful feelings from my childhood which was the root cause of these problems. I am still doing self therapy but now I dont need to tellmyself desperately that I am in control of my emotions and force myself to be happy and optimistic and less angry. Healing my childhood wounds has done that for me and I AM simply more happy and confident. In my experience, in less severe cases it can be super helpful to rewire your brain and exercise some control over your emotions and try to feel happy instead of anxious. But if the problem for your unhappyness lies in deep, painful childhood memories and focusing on the "control your emotions" path doesnt work for you, I highly recommend therapy with a good therapist or self therapy that focuses on healing emotional wounds from your past.

[@jlvandat69]

Good comment, and congratulations on finding some good help. I've had the same issues- depression and anxiety battles. When it became very bad, I used meds and therapy but dropped the meds as soon as I could function well without them. Have not had any further serious symptoms of depression for over 5 years, which was about the same time I began meditating. Many people have used meditation as one of their effective tools for dealing with meditation, along with exercise, diet and "reprogramming" in ways similar to what the speaker in this video recommends.

[@alana6307]

I just started practicing this the other day. I’ve started training my brain to be more calm, to change the anxiety stomach feeling into a feeling of hunger. Over time, I’ll build new neuro pathways which will make it easier to deal with difficult situations.

[@Kamaltweet]

Hey Alana, it’s been a year. How has this affected you so far?

[@Confused2023]

EMDR and persistently practicing reframing negative self talk has changed my internal world. I’m a HSP with a bumpy background and I thought I’d always be at the beck and call of my emotions… no more it’s 60% less noisy up in here. The words “should” and “deserve” are words I focused on eliminating from my lexicon. I’m 80% there and dropping those words is beautiful 😊

[@dorothyedwards7225]

This blows my mind! Thank you Lisa Feldman Barrett!! This is a savior!!!

[@josht9518]

Ok... Look Dr. Barrett... I've watched Inside Out quite a few times and I think I know a thing or two about emotions.

[@l.shepard3216]

lol. :D ^_^

[@azatccc9226]

I don't see contradictions. Sadness, Rage, Disgust and Amy Poehler live inside our brains and make predictions looking at screen. Everything checks!

[@justingonzales7794]

LOL

[@mirzaffarhassan9524]

Азамат Нурмухаметов u

[@Zinkolo]

Josh T Dr barret did research. You watched a Pixar film. I think you don't

[@NoNickname9090]

I knew it!! I've always thought I was the one who was in control of my emotions. This is how I got out of my depressive phase. I had two suicidal attempts, and the last one I just knew that killing myself wasn't right because I was the only one who was sad. It was weird, but my inner voices kept telling me "It's my fault I'm sad" and it finally made sense. I grew up being spoiled and whatnot. So when I wasn't getting the attention I wanted I associated that "lack of attention" as being "disliked" when in actuality those people were just being themselves. I knew I was rewiring myself, but never actually was in full belief of it because of my scientific side always wanting verification. This proves it to me. We are in control of our emotions. Also depression is more than just "sadness" and emotions. It's more or less your emotions are twisted in such a way. You really have to self-reflect over yourself to get rid of depression, but part of depression is not wanting to self-reflect. I truly believe if I didn't have these inner voices, or alter egos in me who were able to gaze upon myself from the inside and see me for ways my depressive self couldn't see, I wouldn't be here today. People make fun of people for having multiple identities, but my other identities are why I'm here today. I'll never forget fighting with the other identity in my head to "end" myself. You do have a lot of control over your emotions. It's just not something you can change overnight because you have to find the root causes as to why you feel the way you do. It's just personally easy for me I suppose because I get my emotions from music. It's all I listen to. Music controls my emotions, I let it. So when I'm listening to music my mind usually dives into the "dark parts" of it, but I'm not feeling any kind of way being there. So I'm actually able to manipulate myself from within like so. It's what I do all the time. My current issue is not feeling upset when other people are in my car. That's a time when I listen to music and control my emotions. I'm also working on "letting go" of some people who aren't in my life anymore. You know, ex best friends and stuff. Petty stuff. Yea, I say petty, but they meant a lot to me. Long story short, I wholeheartedly believe we cannot read the emotions of other people, and I'm sorry if I sound cold (I say "sorry" because humans like that word), but I never know how anyone is actually feeling. I only pretend that I do to give a sense of empathy. I feel that people like believing that they are connected with someone, so I give people that feeling. But some people can pick up that I have no idea what they're feeling, but they seem to appreciate my effort, so I keep it up.

[@katejacobs5491]

Ba O

[@JJOA47]

Actually research shows people believe their emotions are controllable have higher symptoms of depression and lower well-being than those who believe emotions are automatic. Look it up.

[@maixck]

You can absolutely control your emotions, it's being you all alone, It's your body it's your mind. You can change the way you act and react. I found my way out of depression by dealing with the fact that i WANTED to be miserable, i tough i deserved to feel bad, that i was nothing, that i was a fake. I used to think i did not want to feel bad, but i was lying to myself, i did want to feel bad because i did not liked myself. So in order to be happy all the time you have to LOVE yourself, even the best and the worst, and if you don't love yourself, ask what would it take for you to do so? Then do that.

[@jlvandat69]

Major congratulations on dealing with your depression- it's a huge accomplishment. Good comments for others. Thank you.

[@blueconversechucks]

This is exactly how I was able to interrupt twenty years of chronic depression. It's a fundamental concept of cognitive behavioral therapy, which is one of the few treatments for depression with evidence of success. Once I learned that thoughts cause emotions, I learned to better control my thoughts. I am much better at controlling my negative thoughts and avoiding tormenting emotions. If it gets in my way, I work on thinking of something else instead. ANYTHING ELSE. It is extremely difficult but I'm making progress.

[@scottmurden]

One of the most powerful practices I've come across in changing negative emotions/feelings into empowering/positive ones is acceptance and approval. Giving my self permission to feel what is there. And then it changes. As long as I can hold of what I'm thinking about them or prescribing a meaning to them.

[@francescgo]

After watching the video, I came to the conclusion that emotions are the information produced in our body as a result of applying a kind of “believe structure function” to the information perceived by our senses. Therefore, when the emotional distress is too high, we might have three ways of coping: 1. Adapt the believe structure function (change the way we deal with things) 2. Reduce the amount of information perceived (deal with less things) 3. Channel the emotions into the creation of positive outcomes (use our emotions in our favor) A proper strategy to deal with mental problems might include the 3 dimensions. Sometimes the speaker emphasizes one of them (mostly the 3rd) or jump from one to the other (she mentions meditation and change habits) but she fails to present the three of them together and, specially, might lack empathy with the mentally ill.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

I know the one true solution, a great teacher, Falun Dafa

[@mondchristopher6847]

Love this one. "Emotions are built," she said. Yes, it s the same thing, "love is built." Realizing its brilliancy, it also doesnt agree with that "forget the past, remember the lesson." It gives more value to experience: we are shaped by our experiences. Emotion is a series of prediction that I agree: that's how anxiety works. It's predicting. I love how she talks. A thinking person will never make herself sound so certain because there is always more to know: we aren't entirely in control but we have more control than what we think. Unlike the most, she's not saying to ignore our emotion (denial and forgetting)but to know how to use it. This reminds me of in what level of illusion a person needs to survive, to be comfortable in reality. A lot of areas this decades of study requires.

[@teelynn9424]

How people react to other people's emotions are directly linked to their life experiences so how do control that?? Their are many sick minds out there who will super quickly jump to overly react to another person's emotions or feelings and it's not warranted and highly over exaggerated and Dangerous. It's almost instantaneous and in 2 seconds a murder could happen.

[@meredith5879]

What does this mean for mental illness? This attitude prevented me from seeking a diagnosis for severe dissociation and anxiety for almost 20 years. I totally believed that I was suffering from a lack of willpower and mental discipline. Only once I gave up my idea of responsibility did I seek medical help and now I am finally happy. I felt the speaker could have addressed this as I can imagine a lot of suffering people will see this and be discouraged from taking their mental health seriously.

[@MrCmon113]

Precisely. Feeling really, really responsible never leads anywhere good. In the best case it leads to pride and selfishness. In the worst it leads to shame, self loathing, isolation. Happiness is a skill, not something you will into existence by the brutal force of your dissatisfaction.

[@jasonleach9708]

Sarah, I feel like you make a very valid point here. Would you mind elaborating on what medical help you received and how it made you happier? I find myself going back and forth on this idea of responsibility over the years and though I've never been diagnosed, dissociation covers several bases in my experience with depression and anxiety.

[@realist8774]

What? The moment you realize that it's NOT a lack of willpower (and thus not a fault in your 'character') you realize you have an illness in your brain and seek help.

[@michaeljohnson2922]

Not right. When you got help that was you being responsible. Literally, seeking help is the very nature of you taking responsibility for yourself.

[@firefeethok_tui2355]

Sarah Watson I dont think she isnt saying your feelings arent real, but maybe theyre constructed by our thoughts. However, if you have chemical imbalances, constructing them doesnt go as well. Is more difficult and maybe has a prevailing emotion or feeling, ie; Depression. Depression is real and isnt caused by laziness or lack of motivation. Depression is real and often corrected to a more tolerable level. Experiences shape or perceptions, bad experiences shape our output. Help is woth it. Its always worth it.

[@wolfsbane1991]

Very interesting talk; i was taught this mindset by my psychiatrist as well (I have borderline and depression due to childhood trauma). It never cured my depression, but it absolutely made it more easy to live with. Suddenly, there were some situations were I was able to pull myself out of the mental black hole. I am still on medication, but am able to have a job now which makes me very pleased.

[@Robbinsffxi]

"The Actions and the experiences that you make today, become your brain's predictions for tomorrow". Now that's powerfull.

[@alvaroojavierr]

This talk reminds me this quote "the only way to drive out darkness from a room is bringing light". As I understand it the light would be the active attitude in life, meaning how you process one situation will play a big part in the way we experience that situation, wich is harder to do than to say...but in a way that phrase empowers me and after many years of practice I can see that it seems to be true.

[@taramiller7191]

Lots of cognitive dissonance will occur over this but the science is valid - and she addresses it so well. This is bang on with the neuroscience that we know and that many therapists are building in to their therapeutic practices to help people go from victims of their conditions, to creating change and impacting healing in them. Well done.

[@Kyrani99]

How does knowing that "the brain guessing" help a patient? That is if the brain is guessing at all. The neuroscience can only show activity in the brain and nothing else. What is really happening?

[@toobit7]

We think, feel, and behave. Change your thoughts, in order to change your emotions and the changed emotions will influence your behavior. We are not slaves to our emotions. Awesome work!

[@OutragedPufferfish]

If you ready her book, she says that she's not promoting the "mind over matter" idea. There's no strict division between thoughts, emotions and body, they all influence each other.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

We are slaves to our emotions and we all need a great teacher, Falun Dafa.

[@kindgurly1]

This changes the way that we think about emotions completely. We are actually not victim to our emotions. How eye-opening.

[@thomashorseman]

have been in a circumstance of not getting they right partner for myself, have come across broken heart and relationships. but that doesn't make me not to get up and feel they same energy that i really need they right person in my life. Ramudu i came across you now feeling the same energy to be loved, i will really love to be close to you please don't reject my comment.

[@amandabun]

Absolutely 👍

[@nix954]

I really learned something new from this talk. The speaker is incredibly articulate and wise. The sense of responsibility that comes with becoming the “architect of our experiences” is a daunting one. Certainly one that scares me - not because it means I'm accountable but because I wonder how “in control” of my emotions I actually am. I understand that we can rewrite the emotional labels that we assign to physiological sensations, but what if they arise from _accurate_ cognitive appraisal of life events in the past, present, or simulated future? What if, for example, that sense of dread in the morning is based on a true story, as cinematographers would say, rather than simply a misattributed physical sensation? It's empowering - and certainly useful - to reverse or change the course of emotional self-diagnosis but, in the end, are we doing more harm than good by consciously steering away from unpleasant root causes?

[@meowzers3284]

EFT really goes well with this idea. I realized at one point in my life that I was believing negative or false things and it affected my emotion. One thing we all need is to be loved and accepted. Any bad emotion can be calmed when doing eft and telling yourself you are loved and accepted by yourself and also God, that you are safe and everything is ok. Look into it if you struggle with controlling emotion and thoughts.

[@lizgichora6472]

Emotions are a barometer we can tap into and depending on how we manoeuvre, we can overcome difficult circumstances. Thank you Lisa Feldman.

[@vanchurwong6849]

Great! Get it! We can control our emotions with the environment. If we feel extremely sad we can choose to travel or take a deep breath and so on! Don’t ignore the impacts on our emotions from the outside environment!

[@demelzabrooks1899]

Benchur Wong loved this comment !:)

[@suesjoy]

RockME AllDeus that’s what I do when I get depressed, living in rainy Taipei!

[@karlxu1548]

15:41 Wow, this is a powerful perspective to observe personal experience. I myself have tried tricks mentioned in the video, to explain negative psychological experience with physical explanation and act on it. - dehydrated: drink some more water - lack sleep: get a quick nap - hungry: put aside what I'm doing, and refill my stomach It brings stronger feeling of control over day to day life personally.

[@malmalfactor3544]

As a Doctor of Psychology I thought she would have a better understanding of what a panic attack is and how it isn't something you can just think yourself out of having.

[@goatsandroses4258]

Yes, I felt that this was incredibly invalidating for those with panic attacks or conversely, with alexithymia, in which the logical part of the brain cannot easily recognize or "feel" certain emotions, leading to a build-up and flood of unexpressed emotions or other problems caused by these "invisible" emotions. I am wondering if the monotropic theory of autism is correct. Our autistic focus is intense, but narrow. I can focus EITHER on logic, or (with difficulty and quiet) on emotions...sometimes. I can't process both at the same time. Yes, emotions ARE created in the brain, but the brain does not always work the same way in every person, and I'm not sure it can always be "rewired."

[@bearbaitofficial]

I have panic attacks and I've experienced just the opposite. It's a positive feed back scenario. If I can break myself I to a new pattern, it can end the panic attack. But not the larger issues for why certain scenarios result in panic. I do mountaineering and ice climbing. I've learned to stop, breath, change my course and keep moving to prevent a disaster.

[@melanieliston4034]

So true

[@bicycleutopia]

i love this woman...her research is super important.

[@intelligentdesign-evolutio5841]

During several college years, I often looked at a test to prove my expertise in an area and my future success in doing well on the test. Our brain does make many predictions per minute, like she said. We have the potential to turn down the volumn of our emotions. We are responsible for our actions.

[@lindadeacetis2057]

I totally agree with her point that a lot of our distress (Not all!) is caused by physical issues. Improving your diet, exercising, sleeping well leads to more control over those negative emotions.

[@MScEDTA]

Yes they are built, but I don't think you're the only one building them. They are also built by you environment I imagine, especially while growing up. And maybe when things go wrong there is some sort of feedback loop where the emotions are building themself :o!

[@HandsomeJackoff]

EDTA Edetate where's your data to prove it?

[@raksdachamp5527]

EDTA Edetate Read her book, she mentions the nurture aspect in the introduction. Although that is the intuitive view. The book explains it well.

[@congratz9396]

HandsomeJack i reconmend you to read the Nobel winning book “thinking fast and slow” 😉

[@fwamey]

@EDTA Edetate Why is a Minecraft player watching this

[@mohamedal-qabtan4962]

EDTA Edetate really great intuition, she actually mentions exactly what you said. The “prediction” are from past experience and for a child you have no control over.

[@ankiking]

Wish she would have talked a bit more about what type of research has been done and what results they are seeing which is proving what she is saying. Should be a couple of research project she could highlight.

[@jamesbrady5139]

She has a good book that goes over the different research and it honestly does a good job of articulating how the old research has flaws. A good example is the work by Paul Ekman. He articulated what later came to be known as a set of universal emotions. She has since that time done a number of studies and noted how priming plays a big role in obtaining universality in emotional expression and associated meaning. Her arguments are compelling and if they are correct it is as if another age old dogma is ripped away from us. It is worth noting that there is a famous psychologist, William James. - Before he got famous, he decided one day that he would take 100% responsibility for everything that happened in his life. He said, if his life did not get better, he would kill himself in a year. He went on to be the father of psychology in the US, get married and have 5 children (he was in his 30s, single, and had failed at med school at the time of the decision).

[@dimagol2004]

@@jamesbrady5139 What is your attitude to the universality of facial expressions?

[@smartcatcollarproject5699]

Recent studies in psychology show that narcissists master their emotions, they can totally control their emotions, just as this speaker is advising to do (and so are able to manipulate other people through emotions), but they can't read their spontaneous emotions really well, neither those of other people. At the other end of this scale, Aspergers, empaths or borderline personalities are easily overwhelmed by their emotions, meaning they feel them very well but can't control them, same for those of other people, and in both cases it can cause them to overreact to these emotions. A majority of people is in between, with some sensibility and some control, but these facts prove that emotional intelligence alone is a dead end, since narcissists and psychopaths are masters in this domain (which explains why so many people at the top belong to the dark triad)...

[@nonsense8252]

does anyone else see a little screaming man on the snakes head

[@naelys]

I see a screaming clown/joker

[@nonsense8252]

+Diane crazy how thats from nature.

[@naelys]

Yeeep! A snake was the last thing I expected to see

[@nonsense8252]

i thought it was a cartoon with that little man

[@momcat2223]

Same. Kind of a Mr. Bill figure with wild hair, leaning to the left.

[@BM-fz9yc]

This is the entire concept behind Buddhism. “Why Buddhism is true” is a great read. It talks about the core concepts of Buddhism and relates it to evolutionary psychology and psychological research. Very eye opening. Meditation is a great way to observe your emotions and start to take control of them.

[@1821femina]

We can't always control our emotions. They might be telling us something that doesn't make sense to us (intuition) or that we must pay attention to something (anxious about our kids). I don't think we should always rationalize our emotions. That's what makes us humans. I agree with Dr. Feldman about not making a conclusion about someone's emotions right away.

[@NiceOCGuy1981]

That's BS. You can control them.

[@paxtonwong9067]

Super Tamago that’s true

[@genn.623]

The fact that one tries to rationalize his/her emotions is a sign of maturity.

[@teelynn9424]

I couldn't agree more! I know from my life and experiences when trusting my gut or better put as Mommy instincts and it turned out to I. 1 Instance save my 2 year old Daughter from being molested by another yet older girl in the family. Trust your instinct, it's better to investigate than live to regret and something potentially terrible occur!

[@4tunater]

Yes, it's hard to control our emotions. She tried to explain the formation of emotions. As we understand how they are formed, we may figure out a way to form them differently.

[@natalieking6552]

The key info I took for this video is how we interpret sensations, emotions and if we have always perceived them this way we will continue to stay in unhelpful patterns of emotions next time if I feel a certain way or experience a sensation in my body I am going to consider more then one explanation for the sign and hopefully a more helpful one that propels me forward in life I liked the example of churning in stomach as excitement that going to ‘ace’ that test.

[@EllisD1249]

its like conquering your fears by confronting it but for every emotional experience. i'm down for this, next step mono-society.

[@TeeDKay1]

I’m glad I decided to watch this video and was able to read the comments. I want to become more emotionally intelligent. I often feel like my emotions cripple me because it is hard for me to change the way that I think. I believe that if I continue to seek answers and not just accept what is, it will be very helpful to me.

[@oviaelectronica]

It struck me that one could make the conclusion to the study explain even more by simply pointing out that: we feel our predictions, not our circumstances. And not just as emotions, but as physical sensations. Because the churning stomach happens way more often in some situations over others, to conclude that it is just a random coincidence that nervousness and stomach-churning often appears at the same time (say before an exam). So if I wake up in the morning and feel miserable about the day that is to come, I don’t actually feel the events of the day (they haven’t even occurred yet) - I feel my predictions about the day. And the more I believe the predictions (whether it’s excitement or dread), the more they manifest as physical sensations in the body. So the more I am sure I’m going to fail the exam (the more I take my predictions to be the truth), the more my stomach is churning. Just a thought and thank you for a very interesting talk!

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Emotion is a human trait that needs to be eliminated and when that happens compassion, which is Divine, takes its place and we sober up. Falun Dafa

[@merylaan6100]

As a neuroscience student this is such a game-changer cause just two years ago I was being taught that there was a hardwiring for emotions. (The amygdala being involved with external fear stimuli...etc...). But the joy of neuroscience is that it’s a young science... this ted talk just wrote off at least 5 lectures I’ve heard 😅

[@dixonpinfold2582]

She made a disciple out of you in 17 minutes?

[@Creativehealing444]

😆

[@katchabilek2434]

Up there with one of the best Ted talks.. And very, very helpful. Living in Austria, I can now go out and not assume that everybody is a mean and miserable person just because they look it. They may well be feeling warm & jolly on the inside 😊

[@AbidingHopeMentalHealthCoach]

I once used my knowledge of just what she’s saying here to (probably) change an outcome. I was going to sing in a recital, and I felt nervous sitting, waiting my turn. So I reframed that nervousness as excitement. I told myself I was excited to sing. And by the time I got up, not only was I not nervous, but I wasn’t even rattled when the sound track failed during the first chorus! I paused to see what had happened, and then sang a cappella. In front of talented music teachers. And stayed on tune (according to my teacher). And I didn’t feel nervous anymore. That said, it is possible to feel emotions against one’s will. I once was not nervous in a situation that would make most people nervous, but my body picked up on the emotions of others and I had no other way to reframe my heating heart and shallow breathing, even though mentally I was very calm.

[@suzanneoswald7023]

LOVE!!!! Will be sharing this with my patients who are at the mercy of shame and guilt. Thank you!

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Ridding oneself of emotion is like becoming sober. Compassion then takes its place, Falun Dafa.

[@ivettgabriella2384]

She is basically saying what psychotherapists had known for decades from practice. People are capable of learning to react to things differently than before. And that the associations we learned as children can be undone. And consequently, you can change your emotions about something. Having said that, she still hasn't convinced me that nobody can read anybody else's emotions on their face (which was the opening point of the talk). There is something called the "attunement" when people closely pay attention to each other and it IS based on neurobiology. So, yes, it is totally possible to read somebody else's emotions.

[@MickeyD2012]

You cry when you're born, but that doesn't mean you're sad.

[@hwanghyejin2779]

The Original Gamer this can be one of the examples according to this vid👍🏻

[@marcusrayrosales1]

That's easy to poke holes in though... Crying is a result of extreme emotion; like tears of happiness. A new born sounds like they're freaked out... not sad.

[@tharunmalayil2332]

That means you are breathing

[@bmorenasty8713]

marcusrayrosales1 IMO that supports the video’s premise. When you see someone crying it could be any emotion to the extreme.

[@tasniabintewasiq5327]

yeah cause we fell from heaven :p

[@Jayson666youtube]

Anyone who has read ‘ psycho-cybernetics’ will understand this talk and it’s complexities. I am completely blown away, everything connects with each other.

[@pagusmusic6254]

By learning to accept our emotions and embracing the responsibility that comes with it we can all become better humans! Great talk!

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

My face doesn't move when others are talking unless I'm laughing at something that's been said. Aside from that, it only moves when I'm talking. I call it flat face. I have no control over that, but what I've discovered throughout my life is that other people project onto my face their fears more than anything else. Often, it's their fear of judgment. I also noticed when I was younger that I felt anxious a lot (free floating anxiety). I'd look around and see nothing to be anxious about. I decided to reframe that feeling as excitement for life. Now when I'm "anxious" it's generally because there's something I need to be doing. The same physical feeling she talked about before tests was overwhelming for me (to the point of hurting performance), and so I developed strategies to calm the feeling so that it didn't interfere with performance rather than make something more of the feeling. For whatever the case (perhaps because I'm autistic), my body feels intensely, and so I've had to learn ways to dial down. I love this video because what she says about emotions has been true of my life. I've called this learning to work with signals of the body in a more healthy way "emotional hygiene," and it does become automatic for the most part. I'm well aware that my body will overreact at times in a big way, but when it does, I also know it's my body and I don't project what I conjure onto others. I take time to calm myself and sort through what's going on and what I might need to check out (as I'm making guesses about the nature of reality). It's my responsibility. She's not saying we don't have real life events contributing to how we feel. I see it as a cautionary tale of how we frame our emotions. We can take stock of discomfort and choose to think differently. I think far too often we feel what we feel toward others because of things that have happened in our past--that is, we use our history to predict what's happening in our present without being present ourselves. We project. While we ascribe meaning to people's actions as a way to make sense of the world, if we're ascribing negative motive to people we love without checking it out, then we are potentially ruining important relationships just because cues in the environment solicited a physical response that we've linked to past harm. Not saying we ought not listen to our gut; we should, but we should also check it out rather than go from suspicion to fact in seconds flat. We have to learn how to make the time to process what's going on by pausing and practicing that pause. Giving ourselves the time to consider what we actually truly know. Anyone who's read the book "Getting to Yes" would be familiar with the concept of going to the balcony. That's what I'm talking about here. I've been emotionally stuck for a few years because of past trauma and a fear of repeating my past, but I have never stopped trying to get to the root of my stuckness. I figured the fear I was experiencing was my body's way of telling me that I had something that needed to be worked through not just that I was having bad luck in life or needed to identify something in others so that I could avoid repeating past mistakes. I needed to identify in me what was causing me to repeatedly walk down the same street and fall down the same manhole. Just recently I stumbled upon the unconscious processes that has had me repeating behaviors meant to help me to work through a trauma from my past--that is, I am finally being able to feel the feelings and make peace with them. I don't think her talk obviates these unconscious processes we engage in. I think it reminds us that we are doing things (ascribing meaning) rather unconsciously and that we need to bring consciousness to bear.

[@elizabetalace]

Decade in therapy with BPD proved me exactly this. Wish I would accept notion of my own emotional everyday-experience responsibility years and years earlier... Tnx for this presentation 💜

[@TubeNutriDoc]

I too am a scientist. A nutrition specialist and licensed acupuncturist, who wrote a master's thesis about how the color and flavor of foods impact out sensory receptors to effect emotions and behaviors. These are the chemical adaptors our brain and neurological organism are using the fuel out body to react with either sadness, or anger, grief or fear, anxiety or depression. And by changing the foods chosen, we can effect a different pattern of behavior responses like depression. We also add the use of steering our thoughts, and meditation to aid in changes we hope and aspire to. Yet again, the bottom line, we are responsible for our emotions, because we make to choices on our own. Thank you to Lisa Feldman Barrett. Interesting.

[@5pid3rman80]

So weird...! I've been a huge supporter of the notion that one's emotions are subject to his reason... that they don't speak until they are spoken to... I was beginning to think no one else felt similarly... great video!!

[@mickieg1118]

Very well stated. The difficulty lies in the internal conversation one has with one's emotions.

[@garyaufmann7739]

VERY well spoken. Systematic, logical, chronological and pragmatic advice even at the lowest level of comprehension. Again, KUDOS Lisa, VERY well spoken!

[@NashPotatoesOutdoorShow]

Such a great video Lisa! You helped me realize that waking up in a bad mood was simply dehydration...who knew!?

[@denariuswright8284]

One of the most beautiful revelations on the herculean human brain I've ever encountered. ❤️ peace to her - Deno

[@xxDeeo]

Great ted talk, however hard to picture as someone that has a panic disorder. When those panic attacks come out of nowhere, 100% feels like they control me in when they happen and when.. sometimes for no reason

[@Joey007ist]

See that’s the thing. It’s not about the fact they came seemingly out of nowhere. It’s about the why’s behind it, the relationship with fear, and the response to the intense sensations. Anyone with panic disorder I can guarantee is afraid of the next panic attack. That’s how the cycle continues. The idea of having them pop up in less than ideal situations leaves the mind always ready to activate the stress response fast when the right triggers hit. And I get it, even if you try to not be afraid, your brain is smarter than that. It knows if you feel afraid or not. But the key is to learn to accept the experience for what it is. It seems very difficult, it is. but you’d be amazed how perspective can change. While sure, sometimes factors like underlying medical conditions may play a factor. But otherwise, these conditions all base around our relationships with our emotions and life itself.

[@ebb115]

I hear you, I too struggled with weekly panic attacks. Though understanding this, learning NLP, hypnosis, the mind / body connection... I realised there were early signs that initially I was missing and that I was contributing to the experience by how I perceived them. I befriended anxiety, it became my teacher, I chose to see it differently and then my experience changed. Haven't had any more regular attacks in the last 12 years. Reducing caffeine and acupuncture also helped ❤

[@pokerprincess3013]

This is just the growth mindset. You feel nervous you just tell yourself something positive or opposite of what you initially predicted. Change the though that preceded the emotion/feeling.

[@haoxus9413]

I'm spectical about this talk. She so confidently stated that all previous research were wrong, qoute "we have misunderstood the nature of emotion for a very lone time". One should always be careful of this kind of hubris.

[@boooootch]

Prove her wrong?

[@miguelleonelgranadospeguer2371]

Youre way of thinking creates your life. Mindfullness meditation,autobservation is key to change things that make you suffer. The internal world (psyche- soul) is far more important than the external world

[@Mimontreal]

Oh man! Why didn’t I see this video back when I was 5 years old? That would have saved me from so many emotional struggle in life! I loved it, and will indeed embrace the teachings she shared. Thank you 🙏

[@gouravkumar-xo6bz]

Brother please can you tell me in hindi what she said beacause i don't understand english

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Take a look at Falun Dafa if you are looking for something a little more profound.

[@joseffzeff9353]

Problem is "making the choice", and reassurance given from the "Heart of Your Mind" to make that choice, more purity in "Your Heart", more goodness in "Your Heart", better choice you will make for yourself and/or others, no matter the chaos of emotions bombarding you, you will just feel it, it will be given by the Guiding Force and you will go for it.

[@aifan6148]

Meditation is even more powerful: just notice the rise and fall of your emotions, and let go.

[@cpostclothesrack2012]

Shifting from blame to responsibility makes sense. How you think about things can make your anxiety or emotional distress more controllable or a monster you let it destroy your life. You can minimize suffering and don't ever build a monster you couldn't possibly win a war against. So a shift in mindset is possible and stopping your inner chatter from building more suffering than just feeling raw physical sensations and not adding more meaning from your past experiences can make you more resilient to attacks from your mind. Taking responsibility over what life did to you all the good and worse experience can make u more in control. So say you were raped and it's bad but you can't beat yourself up for what was done to you. How you react after that you shouldn't make it so hard on yourself you commit suicide or self harm. Many of us cannot control our physical limitations and how to self defend that doesn't mean we cannot control how we can not build courage to come back after bad experiences. Don't let bad situations define or control you for over a lifetime. Be objective and be balanced and don't let negative and positive feelings control you rather be in charge and make it work for you. If you feel bad things happen to you should make you more miserable and overtake your life. Then what use it is to be in grief and massive anxiety that you lose parts of your life you should have been present. Emotions are real and hoe you think about them makes a difference. Some people feel differently to different situations. That's how you should change it. Experience it differently and make changes to both internal and external factors and change how you do stuff.

[@MM-qg5xh]

If you change your thoughts, you change your emotions.If you're feeling bad, it's because you were thinking negative thoughts prior to these feelings, you just didn't detect the thoughts...pay attention and you'll notice!

[@chuckbryan4817]

Brilliant TED Talk! Neuroscience has described, with sound evidence, a concept that is also at the core of Buddhist philosophy.

[@ceciliamoraespejo5871]

I just wonder, what happens with all those studies that show similarity in facial expressions to basic emotions like anger, sadness, fear? Studies that show that regardless of the culture, facial expressions do have a similarity as a response to similar stimuli. Look them up!

[@ngocthachtruong9889]

My biggest takeaway out of this speech is that emotion is not something that comes or happens to me rather than something that I have control over. I absolutely can change my performance just by changing the ingredients that affect my emotions such as postures, breathing, facial expressions...but I must train myself to consciously do this so as to make it second nature.

[@TheAngryAstronomer]

Note: Only applies to neurotypicals. Don't feel guilty if you have emotional dysregulation.

[@JoshuaHalfBreed]

Argus FPV I would imagine it applies even more so to ED, but that this "take a deep breath" approach would just be so less effective. The only place where it completely doesn't apply is if that part of the brain that regulates emotional response is severely damaged.

[@anonymoose8475]

Isn't "neurotypical" a term most often used in ASD communities? And surely Asperger's if not all ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) are related to some type of dysfunction of the brain's emotional systems - which may or may not equate to 'damage that part of the brain that regulates emotional response'?

[@TheAngryAstronomer]

Anony moose it's used by anyone to describe anyone who has a neurological typical brain but it is often heard more when comparing the neuro diverse to neurotypicals by those with executive dysfunction. ASD Is just one of many. Others may include ADHD (myself) Bi-polar, OCD and schizophrenia to name a few.

[@Jen-qd7sc]

Argus FPV Emotional dysregulation is seen in BPD. They really don't have control over their emotions and behavior. They act out in bizarre ways and create drama out of no where. They rage and rage and then deny they did it or that they were even upset. There are true disorders out there that have an amygdala totally destroyed by abusive childhoods.

[@idromano]

@@Jen-qd7sc came here looking for this exact comment. Thanks!

[@irfangani4476]

Somehow I sense the link between this presentation and the fundamental virtue of stoicism, fathoming human reality as a connection that human build to decipher life. We have been wronged as sensations, such as madness, sadness, fear, are caused by no one but our approach to these feelings. Syncing the virtue and the video, I reckon human life is a connection that human establishes (or demolish, then re-establish) throughout a lifetime.

[@SidratJ]

If all the TED talks had to be sacrificed and erased to save just one video, save this one. I lost all my temper tantrum excuses and I don't even mind. This woman is a bosslady. Where was she hiding all this time? #mustwatch

[@muertovivo2156]

So it worked?

[@chanuppuluri8726]

To add to her point... whenever my anxiety and racing thoughts creep up, I do notice I'm not breathing deeply, sometimes not breathing at all. Breathing again calms that. Crazy how physiological it is...

[@chanuppuluri8726]

Exactly what is this mythical emotion circuit she's claiming? Where are the sources?

[@니가나라를구한다]

This lecture is really interesting and it makes me look back on my life and lots of problems caused by emotional

[@michaelchaskalson9206]

Here's another take - and an intriguing one - on how and why mindfulness of the thoughts, feelings and sensations can free us from distress. She doesn't talk about mindfulness, meditation or anything like that. But the ideas - and the evidence - are powerful!

[@juliawelstead]

and also Buddha's Brain - the practical neuroscience of happiness, love and wisdom by Rick Hanson - a great book

[@andreasgrunder7003]

I have always been interested in emotions and feelings and this explanation is the most coherent for me so far.

[@chrystallove721]

Yes, I tested this on myself for the last 4 years. It proved everything I thought I knew was made up. Emotions are ideas, their observed mannerisms given meaning through action and word. In truth were great actors 😂

[@jeffforsythe9514]

No, we have an addiction nerve and emotions are part of that. Emotion is a human issue that needs to be controlled and when it is, compassion, which is divine, takes emotion's place and we become sober. Falun Dafa

[@chilov2810]

I appreciated the researchers presentation. To my understanding, she was making the case for how perception dictates "reality". If percieve matter, situation etc. positively or negatively, so it is. We have the control and we don't often appreciate or realize it.

[@sonusoni2449]

Thanks......! From deepest part of my heart. This video has changed my life. I really needed this more than anyone else living in this universe. TRUST ME.....🙂 Thanks a lot to TEDX💖

[@ceciliastyles599]

Yea I have ocd and a lot of it is just dealing with the discomfort but living your life! This is so true!

[@MyplayLists4Y2Y]

I'm willing to accept this concept, but I have questions. Then what causes a new born, with no experience to draw on, to startle and cry when subjected to a loud noise or scream? That is fear, no? Fear is an emotion, yes? So where did that come from?

[@bebemochi]

Tine Woodbe, this is an interesting topic. The fight or flight response is physiological so when we hear a loud (potentially dangerous) noise we may experience a surge of adrenaline and cortisol. Therefore hormones act first and emotions ( aka the interpretation of those biological processes) follow. As babies we learn the emotional response to stimuli based on experience, environment and conditioning, for instance if a foetus is exposed to the sounds of a pet dog in the womb it is unlikely to be startled by barking after it’s born. If babies are securely attached and believe themselves to be safe they’re also less likely to experience unfamiliarity and change as threatening. So a startled baby isn’t necessarily a scared baby, it’s deciding what emotion it should have in response to stimuli - some babies cry but some laugh especially if everyone around it are calm and smiling. Some seek reassurance, others carry on with what they were doing etc.

[@amib6301]

The speaker was saying that basic feelings such as calm and discomfort register but the way we describe them to ourselves make them into emotions with the characteristics of dread, fear, excitement etc. We explain away the feeling in more detail and so when the similar circumstance occurs again we use the same prediction to interpret our physiological response. In the instance of the baby she would explain it as baby experiencing mild - severe discomfort. That's what I took away from the video.

[@SlyNine]

It's s just a big coincidence that the regions that activate during love and lust are the same in almost everyone.

[@fwamey]

Siri, sorry I did not understand that.

[@joseffzeff9353]

Makes a lot of sense only on the surface (language of the body and its surface), textures, patterns, waves, but deep inside the soul. If there is a clarity, you can feel depth of others, and that realm you can not measure with simple current technology. The best of con artists, actors, actresses know that who learn how to control emotional surface expressions... Let me share something profound that relates to this: I have been wedding photographer for about 5-6 years, plus other events, before each event I was prepare my equipment, cameras, lighting, assistance, during the first year I was quite nervous, worrying too much that something at this once-in-a-life-time-very-important-event can go wrong. After 1 year I got use to the job, and didn't let these worries put me down, however pattern of reaction of my body to this stressful experience was the same. No matter what I ate, how much I ate, and even when I was less stress after 1 years of experience, my body was going through a cleansing process ( diarrhea, about 3 to 5 times } 1 or 2 days before the scheduled event... it is beyond emotions, that something bigger was preparing my body before the given event... I did not mess up a single wedding, christening, or commercial event, 100% success, plus I had good time with all kinds of people while working, occasionally I got tips, its just because I cared, because I prayed, and I was prepared for the worst, with double equipment, 2 or 3 cameras, extra lighting, batteries, stands and other accessories...

[@11morticia]

What about hormonal changes during a menstrual cycle and the mood changes that it causes? How can I change the "ingredients" to how my body reacts to that? Plus, we do have an emotional circuit, it's called the limbic system.

[@helpmetosleep]

I think awareness of the hormones is helpful, to tell yourself the feeling won't last.

[@andrew.derevo]

На сколько же это крутые знания. Просто взрыв мозга. Это обязательно нужно объяснять детям в начальных классах, трижды думать о том, что мы пускаем в свою собственную голову и о том как мы относимся к окружающим. Вероятно, мир станет намного более здоровым и приятным местом, и похоже что это в наших силах его поменять.

[@TomUlcak]

LOVE THIS. Most profound things I've heard. But, our brains construct emotions to help us predict. Ok, but, what about interpretation? I think that's another level up. She describes the brain's receiving of reports from the body on its current status. And, the mind constructs emotions based on those to help us predict. It can't stop there. If the complex parts of our brain are constructing a reality, why wouldn't it also use that sensory and mind feedback to interpret a larger picture? Beyond ourselves and our immediate environment? I hope she follows up with more of these so I can find out.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

First of all the brain is nothing more than the cockpit of an airplane and it is our soul that thinks and is the pilot. We all need a great teacher, Falun Dafa.

[@TomUlcak]

@@jeffforsythe9514 provide evidence please

[@jeffforsythe9514]

@@TomUlcak Evidence of what? Go read Falun Gong. If you choose not to, your loss.

[@TomUlcak]

@@jeffforsythe9514 I expected your reply. Everyone are lazy thinkers today. If you make a claim YOU have to provide evidence. It's not up to me to go scurrying around.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

@@TomUlcak Please remind me what it is that you want proof of, I get many comments.

[@mmpoggs2033]

Thank you for this truth, there are people who do not feel emotion at all! What is not firing or recognising to flag up compassion or empathy? Why are they in emotional is something failing in their brain?

[@NgaBalkan]

Dr Paul ekman would disagree, and his work is very respected. Micro expressions which is shown in the face are directly linked to emotions. Except for psychopaths.

[@alessandro2075]

Mate you should check out Panksepp's work out, mental

[@chanuppuluri8726]

Thank you I was going to say this. I mean emotions may be guesses, but when those guesses happen, you'll see it in microexpressions. When someone says "but will this work?" And you say "sure" but your body language and microexpressions indicate that you are NOT sure, that doesn't necessarily mean that it won't work or that the person lied. All it indicates is that you're unsure about something related to that topic. So I can see where she's coming from but feel in vehement disagreement with her on the implications of this lecture

[@jamesbrady5139]

@@chanuppuluri8726 Her book talks to Ekman's work specifically and she has done follow up studies that disprove it. However, our prediction mechanics, are often unconscious and also learned via mirror neurons to follow specific things we see in the environment. Those learned responses are cultural based she is finding.

[@daddycubjudah]

Someone help me out. Is 6:20 to 6:40 a contradiction or am I not hearing it correctly?

[@anderischen3720]

@@daddycubjudah I think it's not. She means books are hard written, emotion expressions are not, they can be fake or easy to misread. So I think Lp G is right. The background of this lecture maybe is that the population are becoming sociopathic. The facial expressions/words/tense are controlled to charm or threaten others. So the counterpart should read it differently like a psychiatrist.