Chemistry of Emotions - A Review

Abstract

Human body coordinates through chemical signals released by the brain. Chemical signals play a major role in bio-regulatory reactions responsible for emotions. Emotions are complex chemical reactions in nervous systemcharacterized by neurophysiologic changes associated with thoughts and behavioral responses. On pinching, one can cry, skin becomes hot, heart beat increases and our brain desires to shout out loud or hit something in return. We experience a sudden influx of physical and mental stimuli underlying a basic emotion. A person experiences diverse emotions throughout the day that are helpful in learning, reasoning and creativity. Emotions are one the most central and pervasive aspects of human experience. Emotions motivate empathic and moral behavior and play a role in an individual’s sense of self. While emotions enrich human experience they can also cause dramatic disruptions of judgment and performance. Since ancient days psychiatrists have been cracking the brain process responsible for emotions. Greeks were the first to find the link between the physical body and human emotional responses. Human brain is a complex network that transmit information every second via neurons through chemicals called neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin etc. These chemicals essentially let the organs communicate with each other and express the emotions such as anger and happiness. Analysis of hormones and their effects on human behavior is a major contribution of biochemistry to the understanding of emotions and related behavior. In this article we are trying to provide an in-depth knowledge about chemistry of emotion which we experience every day.