The Emotional Brain

Happy, sad, angry, glad—why do we cry when we’re ecstatic or mad? A fascinating look at the science of emotion

Emotions can be a pain. After his father died of Covid, Dean Burnett found himself wondering what it would be like to live without emotion. And so, he decided to put his feelings under the microscope—for science.

With his trademark humour, Burnett takes us on an incredible journey of discovery, stretching from the origins of life to the ends of the universe. Along the way, he reveals why we would ever follow our gut; whether things really were better in the old days; why it’s so hard to stop doomscrolling; how sad music can make us happier; why we can’t think straight when hungry; the point of nightmares; and why it is virtually impossible to forget embarrassing memories.