ABSTRACT
No discussion of emotion would be complete without coverage of the physiological factors involved. As I have mentioned previously, neuroscience represents the current zeitgeist in psychology. We are fascinated by the techniques that have been developed that allow us to isolate and study the specific neurological processes at the root of emotional feelings. Indeed, at the foundation of any science is the desire to develop an understanding of the human experience in such a way that we can make predictions about the causes and course of a condition. The advantage of this understanding and predictive ability is the opportunity to implement some degree of control over those conditions, in terms of both preventing and modifying their expression. Currently, great efforts are being directed to the development of medicines that serve to block or alter the expression of painful emotions. For countless years, people have been using drugs in various forms to block painful feelings and to stimulate pleasant emotions. The use of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy are popular in the illegal drug culture because they provide shortcuts to individuals wanting to intensify pleasurable feelings. Barbiturates, cannabis, and other depressants have been used to help decrease the experience of stressful feelings, and alcohol has been used extensively as both a disinhibiting social lubricant for those who want to relax and enjoy social intercourse, and as a means of self-medication in those overwhelmed by the challenges of life. There is simply no question about the impact of chemicals on the emotional system. At question is whether drugs, either legal or illegal, are the only or best approach for altering our emotional processes.
