(063) Why Core Emotions Matter: Understanding the role of the emotional brain in the treatment of sexual and affective disorders
Authors: Wise N 
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Evolution has hard-wired mammals with seven primary subcortical emotional operating systems with overlapping but distinct circuits buried in the deep, ancient parts of the brain. When experimentally stimulated (chemically, or by weak electrical current), these circuits evoke specific emotions (responses that move organisms into the world) in order to meet survival needs. These core emotional systems — SEEKING, FEAR, RAGE, PANIC/GRIEF, LUST, CARE, and PLAY — serve as the “primary colors” of our basic emotions, which, in concert with higher cortical brain regions drive our emotional lives. By understanding the basic wiring of these subcortical emotional systems, clinicians can more directly address how imbalances in these systems can contribute to sexual and affective disorders. New therapeutic strategies, known as affective balance therapies, which target the embodied experience of these core emotions, represent a promising new approach to effective treatment.

Objectives

Background: Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp, credited with coining the term “affective neuroscience” conducted extensive experimental research in which he documented cross-species commonalities for the primary emotions of fear, anger, grief, lust, and play that are anatomically, neurochemically, and functionally homologous in all mammals studied. These core emotional operating systems, although empirically validated by experimental mapping, inclusive of the identification of brain circuits and specific neuromodulators, have not yet been integrated into most clinical models of psychotherapy, likely due to resistance to what could be viewed as an anthropomorphic approach to emotion.

Methods

Three-Level Brain/Mind Panksepp identifies three levels of emotional experience (the “three-level brain/mind).” The first is made up of “primary process” psychological experiences that are the instinctual emotional responses generating “raw” affects or core emotions built into our brains by evolution. These “raw” emotions, wired into the subcortical brain, are experienced quickly and vividly, even in instances where there is no capacity to “reflect” upon the emotions. The next level of emotional experience, the “secondary processes,” associated with upper limbic regions, are built upon the foundation of the “raw” emotions and involve learning and memory processes. In contrast with “core emotions,” which are always experienced, secondary processes largely occur non- consciously. The “tertiary processes,” which are largely neocortical, are higher-order “affective-cognitions" that distinguishes us from nonhuman animals. These include cognitive executive functions involving thoughts and planning which permit reflection on what we have learned experientially, our ability to be aware of our experience (such that we can reflect on our emotions as opposed to simply experiencing them), and our ability to choose our paths and intentions.

Results

Treating Imbalances in Core Emotional Systems Psychiatric disorders have been postulated to have roots in affective imbalances within the brain. It is proposed by the author that some sexual disorders, likewise, can be conceptualized as resulting from imbalances in the core emotional systems that can block sexual desire and impair sexual responsivity and experience. Given the significant power of imbalances in the core emotional systems to create ongoing dysphoria and distress, Affective Balance Therapies which attempt to address the embodied experience of these imbalances are suggested to be key to a comprehensive Biopsychosocial approach to treatment.

Conclusions

Affective Balance Therapies which attempt to address the embodied experience of these imbalances are suggested to be key to a comprehensive Biopsychosocial approach to treatment.

Disclosure

No.