The Emotional Brain: Empathy

Simply put, empathy is the ability to perceive, understand and become infected with the emotions that surround us. With this definition, we can imagine the scope that this ability has in our development.

Although the emotional history of each one influences the ability to perceive the emotions of others, it is something that we have to work on constantly. Also, despite the fact that our early experiences have not been favorable, anyone has the ability to develop empathy.

This story perfectly illustrates what this quality is, which we could translate as “emotional contagion”. We convey and capture our moods in truly interesting ways,  and the fact that we are invisibly so connected is hardly surprising.

The mind-body-emotion connection

For years, it seems that science has been learning to locate where our emotional capacity lies. Among other issues, the findings in relation to this type of phenomena focus on mirror neurons.

These neurons are brain cells whose mission is to reflect the activity we are observing and are the culprits that, for example, we yawn when someone does it in front of us.

However, the emotional circuit that processes our emotions is very wide. Let’s take a closer look at the areas involved in the processing of our emotions:

The limbic system, the emotional brain

This area of ​​the brain is fully functional from birth and is believed even from within the womb. It encompasses the temporal lobe, the orbitofrontal zone, the amygdala, and the hippocampus.

Let’s say that the area of ​​the orbitofrontal cerebral cortex is one of the main responsible for the development of our empathic capacity. It works as a repetition station that perceives and transmits our sensations about our own and foreign state of mind to other areas of the body.

The frontal lobe, the executive brain

This part of the brain manages to modulate and manage the emotions of the limbic system so that we can fit them into our external environment, allowing us to be functional beings in society.

That is, it enables us to act correctly according to social norms, as well as to reflect on our feelings and actions.

The left and right brain hemispheres

In general terms, in the left hemisphere the thoughts and judgments of the executive brain dominate the emotions of the limbic system, while in the right, the emotional brain dominates the executive.

Regarding gender differences, it is believed that the emotional brain is frequently more dominant in women, while the executive brain is more dominant in men. This would support the claim that the female world is more emotional, but the evidence is inconclusive on this nevertheless.

The connection between emotional and physical health

Our nature establishes very concrete connections in order to unite these brain structures to the different areas of the body, such as those that regulate respiration, gastrointestinal function, the cardiovascular system and the hormonal system.

Such is the connection, that if our brain registers a certain emotional distress even though we are not aware of it, do not know how or cannot express it, the physical systems will speak to us through symptoms. By showing themselves like this, they intend to give us one of these three messages:

• There is an emotional need that has not been met.
• Something must change in our life to satisfy that need.
• Something or someone is out of balance around us and we must attend to it.

In other words, our emotional brain is a kind of physical support that connects the mind with the body.

Empathy is key to relating to others

Although it is true that the biochemical imprint generated by our first experiences with the world is essential to maintain the balance of our emotional state, throughout life we ​​constantly receive stimulating messages.

Thus, the quality of our relationships will depend on our ability to blend in with others. That is, the more attuned, the greater the capacity we will acquire to express and to receive positive or negative states of mind.

In short, functioning well on an emotional level articulates our development, so empathy is essential to keep us healthy and united with our environment.