The Science Of Empathy And Empaths: 5 Interesting Facts

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If you are an empath, then you must know the science of empathy and empaths. Below are some scientific explanations of empathy.

As a psychiatrist and an empath, I am fascinated by how the phenomenon of empathy works. I feel passionately โ€“ that empathy is the medicine the world needs right now.

Empathy is when we reach our hearts out to others and put ourselves in their shoes. However, being an empath goes even farther. Like many of my patients and myself, empaths are people whoโ€™re high on the empathic spectrum and actually feel what is happening in others in their own bodies.

As a result, empaths can have incredible compassion for peopleโ€“but they often get exhausted from feeling โ€œtoo muchโ€ unless they develop strategies to safeguard their sensitivities and develop healthy boundaries.

The Science Of Empathy And Empaths

Related: What is Your Level of Empathy?

In my book, โ€œThe Empathโ€™s Survival Guideโ€ I discuss the following intriguing scientific explanations of empathy and empaths. These will help us more deeply understand the power of empathy so we can utilize and honor it in our lives.

The Neuroscience Of Empathy And Empaths: 5 Interesting Empathy Facts

1. The Mirror Neuron Systemย 

Researchers have discovered a specialized group of brain cells that are responsible for compassion. These cells enable everyone to mirror emotions, to share another personโ€™s pain, fear, or joy.

Because empaths are thought to have hyper-responsive mirror neurons, we deeply resonate with other peopleโ€™s feelings. How does this occur? Mirror neurons are triggered by outside events.

Related: 5 Ways How Music Increases Empathy In Listeners

For example, our spouse gets hurt, we feel hurt too. Our child is crying; we feel sad too. Our friend is happy; we feel happy too. In contrast, psychopaths, sociopaths, and narcissists are thought to have what science calls โ€œempathy deficient disorders.โ€

This means they lack the ability to feel empathy like other people do, which may be caused by an under-active mirror neuron system. We must beware of these people because they are incapable of unconditional love.ย 

2. Electromagnetic Fieldsย 

The second finding is based on the fact that both the brain and the heart generate electromagnetic fields. According to the HeartMath Institute, these fields transmit information about peopleโ€™s thoughts and emotions. Empaths may be particularly sensitive to this input and tend to become overwhelmed by it.

Similarly, we often have stronger physical and emotional responses to changes in the electromagnetic fields of the earth and sun. Empaths know well that what happens to the earth and sun affects our state of mind and energy. Similarly, we often have stronger physical and emotional responses to changes in the electromagnetic fields of the earth and sun. Empaths know well that what happens to the earth and sun affects our state of mind and energy.ย 

Related: How to Supercharge Your Dopamine Levels Naturally and Never Feel Depressed Again

3. Emotional Contagionย 

The third finding which enhances our understanding of empaths is the phenomena of emotional contagion. Research has shown that many people pick up the emotions of those around them.

For instance, one crying infant will set off a wave of crying in a hospital ward. Or one person loudly expressing anxiety in the workplace can spread it to other workers. People commonly catch other peopleโ€™s feelings in groups.

A recent New York Times article stated that this ability to synchronize moods with others is crucial for good relationships. What is the lesson for empaths? To choose positive people in our lives so weโ€™re not brought down by negativity. Or, if, say a friend is going through a hard time, take special precautions to ground and center yourself. These are important strategies youโ€™ll learn in this book.

4. Increased Dopamine Sensitivityย 

The fourth finding involves dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases the activity of neurons and is associated with the pleasure response. Research has shown that introverted empaths tend to have a higher sensitivity to dopamine than extroverts. Basically, they need less dopamine to feel happy.

That could explain why they are more content with alone time, reading, and meditation and need less external stimulation from parties and other large social gatherings. In contrast, extroverts crave the dopamine rush from lively events. In fact, they canโ€™t get enough of it.ย 

Related: Empathy Can Transform the World

5. Synesthesiaย 

The fifth finding, which I find particularly compelling, is the extraordinary state called โ€œmirror-touch synesthesia.โ€

Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which two different senses are paired in the brain. For instance, you see colors when you hear a piece of music or you taste words.

Famous synesthetics include Isaac Newton, Billy Joel, and violinist Itzhak Perlman. However, with mirror-touch synesthesia, people can actually feel the emotions and sensations of others in their own bodies as if these were their own. This is a wonderful neurological explanation of an empathโ€™s experience.ย ย 

The Dalai Lama says, โ€œEmpathy is the most precious human quality.โ€ย  During these stressful times, itโ€™s easy to get overwhelmed. Even so, empathy is the quality that will get us through.

It will enable us to respect one another, even if we disagree. Empathy doesnโ€™t make you a sentimental softy without discernment. It allows you to keep your heart open to foster tolerance and understanding. It might not always be effective in getting through to people and creating peace but I think itโ€™s the best chance we have. ย 

(Adapted from The Empathโ€™s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive Peopleย by Judith Orloff, MD, which is a guidebook for empaths and all caring people who want to keep their hearts open in an often-insensitive world.)

Related: Empathy Is A Choice And Weโ€™re Choosing To Avoid It, Says Science

As an empath you must have had many questions about why you are the way you are. Hopefully the science behind empathy answered some of your questions. Leave your thoughts in comments.


Written by: Dr. Judith Orloff, MD
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