emotions

Is trying to transcend pain a pointless activity?

And it seems like a popular one — if the proliferation of increasingly specific painkillers and the popularity of movements like effective altruism is anything to go by.

We don't need to be neuroscientists to understand why: pain hurts.

But as Clemson philosophy Professor Todd May suggests, perhaps we need to ask ourselves whether we would genuinely like to be rid of certain sorts of pain.

Good or bad, why are first loves so unforgettable

Either way, most people have vivid memories of their first serious relationship, Deakin University associate professor of psychology Gery Karantzas said.

"One thing that makes memories so vivid for us is the amount of emotion that is experienced during the creation of that memory," he told ABC Radio Melbourne's Ali Moore.

19 emotions you never knew you had

Perhaps a little kilig – the jittery fluttering feeling as you talk to someone you fancy? How about uitwaaien – which encapsulates the revitalising effects of taking a walk in the wind?

These words – taken from Bantu, Tagalog, and Dutch – have no direct English equivalent, but they represent very precise emotional experiences that are neglected in our language. And if Tim Lomas at the University of East London has his way, they might soon become much more familiar.

3 keys to finding love

It seems like everyone has a theory about what it takes to live happily ever after, and no two people seem to agree. But science tells us what appears most likely to lead to relationship bliss. Here's how the research advises that we tackle three of the major challenges we face when trying to find, and keep, that special someone:

1. What to Look For In a Mate: Someone Agreeable, Conscientious, and Emotionally Stable