Sadness and Major Depressive Disorder - The Biology Behind Emotions

Abstract

Sadness is one of the most widely experienced emotions, and though appearing simple on the outside, it is quite complex. The feelings of sadness that we experience are the culmination of neurotransmitters, receptors, and different brain areas working together. We will go over the definition of sadness, the neurotransmitters and receptors involved, various disorders associated with sadness, and management/treatment options. This paper’s primary goal is to detail the specific biological processes that cause sadness, and explain the factors that can cause disorders involving persistent sadness.