Welcome | Lisa Feldman Barrett

Hello — I’m Lisa Feldman Barrett. As a neuroscientist and psychologist, I’ve been studying the brain and mind for 30 years. If you’re new to my work, here is a quick path to learn about it.

For a quick video introduction, view my TED and TEDx Talks. For more detail, watch the cinematic lecture, “How Emotions are Made,” by filmmaker Van Yang. Many more videos are available on my video page.

You Aren’t at the Mercy of Your Emotions: Your Brain Creates ThemYou have more control over your emotions than you might think.

Cultivating Wisdom: The Power Of MoodDo you believe that what you see influences how you feel? Actually, the opposite is true: What you feel influences what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch.

How Emotions are Made (Cinematic Lecture)

How Emotions are MadeExplore my theory of emotion in this cinematic lecture by filmmaker Van Yang.

How To Be a HumanConvocation speech, SUNY Broome, April 2023

You can also sample a few of my op-eds and magazine articles. (See the full list.)

- What Emotions Are and Aren’t (New York Times)
- Poverty on the Brain (Thrive Global)
- How to Become a “Superager” (New York Times)
- Buddhists in Love (Aeon)
- Your Brain is Not For Thinking (New York Times)
- …and more

My books for the public include:

Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain (2020): A collection of short essays on the brain to inspire you to think about human nature — and what kind of human you want to be.

How Emotions are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain (2017): Emotions aren’t built into your brain from birth. They are made by your brain, on the spot, as needed. We explore the workings of your brain using the science of emotion as a convenient flashlight.

See more books.

If you’re interested in the deeper science, browse my academic research papers.

Thanks for stopping by!