Everyone has emotions. Some people may lack emotions, but due to the hundreds of different emotions, each of us experiences at least a couple of them. Why do these emotions occur? How are they processed by the brain and then shown by our facial expressions or the way we hold our body? Our brain is designed to be alert to threats and rewards (Emotions and the brain). When either is detected, the sensory region of the brain alerts the body by releasing chemical messages. Emotions are the product of these chemical messages. The emotion someone can feel depends on the type of chemical released. These chemicals aren't the only thing that can produce an emotion. Your thoughts also contribute to the emotions a person may feel. There may also be problems with how emotions are measured. Some examples of this are self-reports, behavioral observations, and physiological measures. If someone tried to rob you, they would release stress hormones like adrenaline or cortisol. These chemicals produce a flight or fight response. On the other hand, if someone gives you a birthday present, your brain may release dopamine, oxytocin, or serotonin (Emotions and the Brain). Your emotions, however, are not based solely on these chemical messages. Your thoughts can also come into play when you express an emotion. In some situations the reaction time of the chemical message is so fast that your feelings may take over your brain before you have time to think. An example of this would be a surprise party. When you enter the party and are surprised, a big smile may appear on your face. This smile comes without thinking and is the product of chemical messages released by your brain. An example... middle of paper... they come from chemicals in the brain that don't know the specific place where all emotions are created. Research conducted on emotions is expanding but limited due to self-reports, behavioral observations, and physiological measures. The brain is very complex and complicated, but we learn about it every day. In the future, researchers will be able to measure them precisely and will have a deeper understanding of emotions. Works Cited Emotions and the Brain. (2012, November 26). YouTube. Retrieved November 12, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNY0AAUtH3gKalat, J. W. (1993). Introduction to psychology (3rd ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub. Co..Scheve, T. (n.d.). What are microexpressions?. How things work. Retrieved November 17, 2013, from science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/microexpression.htm