Sometimes it happens to meet someone to establish a magical and inexplicable connection. The interesting dialogues are an injection of endorphins and serotonin for our brain.
Written and verified by the psychologist GetPersonalGrowth.
Last update: 15 November 2021
Interesting conversations generate changes in the brain. They are a direct injection of serotonin, as well as a great way to connect, experience complicity and trust.
Few dynamics are more satisfying for the human being than that unique space in which to create alliances, learn, be surprised, find relief and energy.
Judith E. Glaser, an anthropologist and conversational intelligence expert, says our brains don't speak English or Spanish or French. The brain speaks through emotions, which give meaning to everything we do.
The dialogues we have daily with the people around us can improve our well-being or, on the contrary, weaken it. Sometimes while we are talking to someone we feel that we are wasting energy and that we are imbued with a certain negativity.
On the other hand, the opposite can happen. Suddenly we meet someone and an immediate connection is born: the dialogue flows, the discourse is lively, spontaneous and we have many things in common.
The brain loves these experiences. It reacts by giving us endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin, the stress disappears and the world suddenly acquires a transcendent and revealing meaning. Having interesting conversations increases the quality of life.
"A good conversation must exhaust the subject, not the interlocutors."
-Winston Churchill-
Interesting conversations change our brains
Carl Rogers, a famous humanist psychologist, says that few things satisfy him more than bringing out new ideas and perspectives in patients during therapy.
This is possible only through dialogue and a series of key elements that Rogers has framed in the therapy: namely lacceptance of the other, empathy and authenticity.
These dimensions are essential not only to connect with your interlocutor, but are decisive for achieving clinical progress and improvements.
Human communication experts are well aware that communicative exchanges go beyond the simple sharing of information. Land interesting conversations cause emotional changes of great intensity.
Dialogue, a neural alchemy of sensations and brain waves
The fulfilling dialogues in which we create safe spaces, in which we let ourselves be transported between confidences, learning, discoveries and intimacy do not happen very often. We barely count on the fingers of one hand the people we have really interesting conversations with. But when it happens, we come out strong, full of positivity and enthusiasm.
It is no coincidence: this feeling of well-being is the result of a fascinating neural alchemy. This comforting mood is shaped by higher levels of dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins.
A study conducted at the Basque Center for Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL) indicates that during interesting conversations our brain is 'in sync' with that of our interlocutor.
What does it mean? That people speaking share the same neural synchrony to facilitate connection. In other words, brain waves are on the same wavelengths.
Interesting conversations build trust
Trust is the social glue. Our brain is designed to foster alliance with our fellow men, it is a dimension that we must feel and it is very precious for us. However, as we all know, trust is earned and we need several signals to build this bond.
Interesting conversations are a useful resource in this regard. Those constructive dialogues we have with a friend, partner, colleague help us create the neural bond of trust.
In these moments oxytocin, the social hormone par excellence, comes into action, which makes us feel safe, relaxed and connected with those in front of us.
Dialogues imbued with enthusiasm and positivity transform us
Interesting conversations also have another virtue: they can transform us. These exchanges of information, emotions, ideas and sensations through speech trigger a joint transformation.
They are dynamics that allow you to discover other perspectives, spread enthusiasm, wisdom, support and trust. No one comes out unscathed from these moments of cohesion between two or more people from which one gains in terms of personal development, but also of physical and psychological health.
Conclusions
Neuroscience points out that two connected brains are better than one. When we spend time with a loved one, the mind works on another level. Dyadic or couple communication reduces stress, improves creativity, strengthens our emotional and social bonds and fills us with enthusiasm.
We therefore do not hesitate to look for moments in our daily life in which to delight ourselves with interesting conversations. Nothing is more fulfilling than establishing a connection with others, progressing together and growing as human beings.
