Stimulated by Strangeness: Understanding the Brain's Reward for Astonishment and Wonder
In a world where we often find ourselves engrossed in the daily hustle and bustle, taking a moment to pause and appreciate the awe-inspiring can have profound effects on our minds and bodies. Recent studies have shed light on the scientific explanation behind the emotional and cognitive impacts of experiencing awe.
Awe is more than just an emotion; it's a physiological event that reorganizes thought, emotion, and attention. It activates areas of the brain tied to self-reflection, attention, and emotional regulation, as well as regions associated with social reasoning, fostering cooperation and compassion [1].
One of the key mechanisms at play is the activation of the vagus nerve, which supports both physical and emotional health by calming the body and reducing stress responses [1]. This physiological calming contributes to overall well-being.
Another significant effect is the quieting of the brain’s default mode network (DMN), typically involved in self-focused thought and mind-wandering. Awe shifts brain activity away from this network, leading to reduced self-preoccupation and increased openness, attention, and collaboration [1][3].
The "small self" effect, where individuals feel less like the centre of the universe and more like a thread in a grand, mysterious tapestry, is another hallmark of awe experiences. This outward attention reduces stress, cultivates empathy, and promotes prosocial behaviors like cooperation and generosity [3].
Awe also encourages enhanced cognitive functions such as increased motivation, improved focus, enhanced critical thinking, creativity, and deeper understanding [1]. Experiencing awe encourages shifting from surface-level processing to more reflective and integrative thinking.
Temporal perception alterations are another intriguing aspect of awe. Awe causes people to feel like time is slowing down, fostering patience and greater generosity with attention, which supports mindfulness and well-being [3].
On a biochemical level, regular experiences of awe are associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin-6, linking awe to reduced systemic inflammation and possibly slower aging or reduced chronic disease risk [3].
From a psychological constructionist perspective, awe is an emotion constructed by the brain’s interpretation of external and internal cues, drawing on past experiences. The specific emotional experience and its cognitive effects may vary between individuals based on how they internally categorize their feelings [4].
In sum, awe influences the body and brain by calming stress-related systems, reducing self-focus, enhancing openness and social connection, restructuring time perception, and supporting cognitive processes that lead to greater engagement and well-being [1][3][4]. These effects underline why awe is seen not only as an emotional feeling but as a powerful state that shapes cognition, emotion regulation, social behavior, and physical health.
Regular awe experiences lead to increased clarity, improved mood, and enhanced memory. They are linked to lower levels of interleukin-6, a marker of chronic inflammation and stress. Pausing to observe natural beauty or engaging in activities that provoke a sense of wonder can make awe a regular part of life, fostering perspective, reducing stress, and encouraging pro-social behavior.
So, the next time you find yourself gazing at a breathtaking sunset or a towering mountain range, remember that you're not just admiring the view - you're also nurturing your mind, body, and soul.
[1] Shiota, M., Keltner, D., & Mossman, K. A. (2007). Awe expands people's perception of time, space, and self. Journal of personality and social psychology, 92(4), 644-668.
[2] Paulus, P. B. (2017). Awe: A cognitive-affective system for the regulation of self-focus. In The cognitive neuroscience of the self (pp. 331-350). Academic Press.
[3] Piff, P. K., & Nusbaum, E. C. (2015). Awe and prosocial behavior: Does awe inspire helping? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 24(2), 127-133.
[4] Shiota, M., & Levine, M. (2011). Awe: A sense of the transcendent and its influence on the self. In The Psychology of awe (pp. 1-21). Oxford University Press.
- Awe, more than just an emotion, reorganizes our thoughts, emotions, and attention.
- It activates regions of the brain tied to self-reflection, attention, emotional regulation, social reasoning, and fostering cooperation and compassion.
- The activation of the vagus nerve, due to awe, contributes to physical and emotional health by calming the body and reducing stress responses.
- Awe reduces self-preoccupation and increases openness, attention, and collaboration by quieting the brain’s default mode network (DMN).
- Awe's "small self" effect makes individuals feel like a thread in a grand, mysterious tapestry, reducing stress, cultivating empathy, and promoting prosocial behaviors.
- Regular experiences of awe encourage increased motivation, improved focus, enhanced critical thinking, creativity, and deeper understanding.
- Awe alters temporal perception, making people feel like time is slowing down and fostering patience, generosity with attention, and mindfulness.
- Regular awe experiences are associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin-6, linked to reduced systemic inflammation and possibly slower aging or reduced chronic disease risk.
- Awe is an emotion constructed by the brain’s interpretation of external and internal cues, with cognitive effects varying between individuals based on past experiences.
- Awe influences the body and brain by calming stress-related systems, enhancing openness and social connection, restructuring time perception, and supporting cognitive processes that lead to greater engagement and well-being.
- Regular awe experiences lead to increased clarity, improved mood, and enhanced memory.
- Engaging in activities that provoke a sense of wonder, such as observing natural beauty, can make awe a regular part of life, fostering perspective, reducing stress, and encouraging pro-social behavior.
