There is no denying that smiling is one of the most beautiful forms of expression human beings have been granted. A smile sprouts from the internal feeling of happiness and has thus, always been the harbinger of one’s pleasure, acceptance, and satisfaction over a person or a thing.
However, is this interaction between emotion and expression unidirectional? Maybe not. Over the years, researchers, intrigued by the sheer enigma of human happiness and its causes, have conducted several experiments whose groundbreaking results have taken the entire world by surprise.
However, is this interaction between emotion and expression unidirectional? Maybe not. Over the years, researchers, intrigued by the sheer enigma of human happiness and its causes, have conducted several experiments whose groundbreaking results have taken the entire world by surprise.
The Experiments
Researchers at the University of South Australia have come forward to change the whole narrative around happiness. After a series of experiments conducted on people, they are confident enough that happiness causes one to smile, but smiling can result in someone feeling happy.
In the journal ‘Experimental Psychology,’ they published that forcing oneself to smile moves specific facial muscles, which trigger the brain to process that it is happy. This leads to the person experiencing an overall positive outlook about things around them and a general upliftment in the mood.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have come forward to change the whole narrative around happiness. After a series of experiments conducted on people, they are confident enough that happiness causes one to smile, but smiling can result in someone feeling happy.
In the journal ‘Experimental Psychology,’ they published that forcing oneself to smile moves specific facial muscles, which trigger the brain to process that it is happy. This leads to the person experiencing an overall positive outlook about things around them and a general upliftment in the mood.
The experiment that led to this result involved around 120 participants who were asked to hold a pen in between their teeth to emulate the movement of a smile. To everyone’s surprise, this simple act, though not resulting from a preconceived emotion of pleasure, harvested positive emotions in the people.
Another research aimed at a similar finding in 2009 was conducted in the University of Cardiff, Wales. When a group of botox users and non-users were interrogated, it was found that the happiness quotient of the botox users overshadowed that of the latter. The reason could easily be traced back to the fact that botox users could not frown as often as non-users could.
Another research aimed at a similar finding in 2009 was conducted in the University of Cardiff, Wales. When a group of botox users and non-users were interrogated, it was found that the happiness quotient of the botox users overshadowed that of the latter. The reason could easily be traced back to the fact that botox users could not frown as often as non-users could.
Where Is The Magic?
The crux of this overwhelming cause-effect phenomenon lies in our mind-body connection. Our body works in sync with our mind to process events and cultivate feelings. The experiments rule out the possibility of the brain being the only commander. Often changes in the body instruct the brain on what to perceive.
When the face muscles of the participants were stretched, replicating a smile, it stimulated the amygdala in the brain. It is the region responsible for controlling emotions. This resulted in the release of neurotransmitters which infused a feeling of positivity.
Research conducted in New York claims that smiling contributes towards an increased secretion of Dopamine and serotonin. While serotonin lowers stress levels, Dopamine enhances the feelings of happiness.
The crux of this overwhelming cause-effect phenomenon lies in our mind-body connection. Our body works in sync with our mind to process events and cultivate feelings. The experiments rule out the possibility of the brain being the only commander. Often changes in the body instruct the brain on what to perceive.
When the face muscles of the participants were stretched, replicating a smile, it stimulated the amygdala in the brain. It is the region responsible for controlling emotions. This resulted in the release of neurotransmitters which infused a feeling of positivity.
Research conducted in New York claims that smiling contributes towards an increased secretion of Dopamine and serotonin. While serotonin lowers stress levels, Dopamine enhances the feelings of happiness.
One thing to be deduced from these findings is that emotions and expressions are interdependent and form sort of a feedback loop. What we feed into the brain through our body gets manifested by the brain in our body.
Are There Side-effects?
What negative effect can such a graceful action yield? If you try to smile in pain, the worst thing you will witness is not actually feeling happy after that. However, trying doesn’t hurt. If you want to grow out of the state of sorrow, then why leave out such a promising possibility?
Conclusion
It seems like the fake it till you make it phenomenon has finally enticed scientists. These findings give us a new perspective and open the door to hopeful days of being happy amidst the chaos.
However, as a general rule of caution, if you are on anxiety medication, make sure to stick to it and not meddle with the doses just because you have started tricking your brain into being happy by smiling. Nevertheless, keep smiling till the world needs no pills to be happy.
Are There Side-effects?
What negative effect can such a graceful action yield? If you try to smile in pain, the worst thing you will witness is not actually feeling happy after that. However, trying doesn’t hurt. If you want to grow out of the state of sorrow, then why leave out such a promising possibility?
Conclusion
It seems like the fake it till you make it phenomenon has finally enticed scientists. These findings give us a new perspective and open the door to hopeful days of being happy amidst the chaos.
However, as a general rule of caution, if you are on anxiety medication, make sure to stick to it and not meddle with the doses just because you have started tricking your brain into being happy by smiling. Nevertheless, keep smiling till the world needs no pills to be happy.