Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a link between heart rate and emotional state, with findings published in Nature. The study explored how physiological changes influence mood and stress responses, offering a window into how the body and brain interact during emotional experiences.
The scientists used a mouse model to probe causality. Tiny devices equipped with LEDs were implanted in the animals to induce tachycardia, or a rapid heartbeat. In the initial phase, there was no obvious change in the mice’s behavior, suggesting that heart rate alone might not instantly alter mood under all conditions. Yet when the same mice were placed in an expansive, open area that introduced a sense of threat, their emotional reactions became more pronounced. The rodents stayed calm without stimulation, but once a warning cue was given, their behavior shifted toward panic. These observations point to a context where heart rate can influence emotion, but only as part of a broader neural and environmental landscape.
Neural activity data revealed that specific brain regions were most involved when tachycardia occurred. The posterior portion of the insular cortex and the prefrontal cortex, areas known for processing sensory information and integrating emotional states, showed heightened activity during rapid heartbeats. When researchers suppressed activity in these regions, tachycardia failed to modulate the animals’ emotional responses, implying a causal role for these networks in translating bodily signals into feelings of arousal or anxiety.
These findings appear to translate to humans as well. The researchers emphasize that the same brain-heart interactions are likely at work in people, and they plan to extend this line of inquiry. Future work aims to better understand how heartbeat fluctuations contribute to anxiety and panic disorders and to explore potential interventions that may help individuals manage distress linked to autonomic changes. By clarifying which circuits mediate the link between cardiac signals and emotion, the work could inform new strategies for assessment and treatment, including biomedical approaches and behavioral therapies that address the physiological drivers of fear and stress.