In The Brain...
Smiling releases neuropeptides in the brain which fight off stress— this then releases neurotransmitters such as dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin (2).
Neurotransmitters are signaled from the cortex of the brain to the brainstem (4).
It keeps track of smiling. More smiling means that it is more effectively breaking natural tendencies to think negative, and in turn associates positive thoughts (3).
Smiling can relax your body, and lower your heart rate and blood pressure (2).
Neurotransmitters are signaled from the cortex of the brain to the brainstem (4).
It keeps track of smiling. More smiling means that it is more effectively breaking natural tendencies to think negative, and in turn associates positive thoughts (3).
Smiling can relax your body, and lower your heart rate and blood pressure (2).
Footnotes:
1. McMahon, Mary, and O. Wallace. "How Many Muscles Are Used To Smile?" WiseGeek. Conjecture. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. <http://www.wisegeek.com/how-many-
muscles-are-used-to-smile.htm>.
2. Stevenson, Sarah. "There's Magic In Your Smile." Psychology Today. 25 June 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-
edge-leadership/201206/there-s-magic-in-your-smile>.
3. Giang, Vivian. "How Smiling Changes Your Brain." Fast Company. 28 Jan. 2015. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. <http://www.fastcompany.com/3041438/how-to-be-a-success-
at-everything/how-smiling-changes-your-brain>.
4. Widrich, Leo. "The Science of Smiling: A Guide to Human's Most Powerful Gesture - The Buffer Blog." Buffer Social. 9 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
<https://blog.bufferapp.com/the-science-of-smiling-a-guide-to-humans-most-powerful-gesture>.
muscles-are-used-to-smile.htm>.
2. Stevenson, Sarah. "There's Magic In Your Smile." Psychology Today. 25 June 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-
edge-leadership/201206/there-s-magic-in-your-smile>.
3. Giang, Vivian. "How Smiling Changes Your Brain." Fast Company. 28 Jan. 2015. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. <http://www.fastcompany.com/3041438/how-to-be-a-success-
at-everything/how-smiling-changes-your-brain>.
4. Widrich, Leo. "The Science of Smiling: A Guide to Human's Most Powerful Gesture - The Buffer Blog." Buffer Social. 9 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
<https://blog.bufferapp.com/the-science-of-smiling-a-guide-to-humans-most-powerful-gesture>.
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