You know that feeling when your breath catches in your throat—whether it’s at the edge of the Grand Canyon, staring up at a night sky so dense with stars it feels infinite, or listening to a song that makes your whole body shiver? That’s awe. And let me tell you, awe is more than just a fleeting “wow” moment—it’s a full-body, mind-expanding experience that’s been fascinating scientists, philosophers, and everyday wonder-seekers like me for centuries.
I’ve chased awe in big ways—like standing under the northern lights in Norway—and in small, quiet ways, like sipping coffee in a corner café and realizing how much beauty there is in ordinary life. Along the way, I’ve learned that awe isn’t just feel-good fluff; it changes the way our brains fire, our hearts beat, and even how we connect with the people around us. So today, let’s dive deep into what awe does to us, why it matters, and how you can invite more of it into your own life.
Understanding Awe: The Emotion That Stops You in Your Tracks
Before getting into the brain chemistry, let’s pause and ask: what actually is awe? It’s often described as an overwhelming, transformative emotion—the kind that makes you feel small in the best possible way, while also connecting you to something bigger.
I’ll never forget being a kid and watching summer thunderstorms roll in. Lightning would slice the sky wide open, thunder shook the walls, and I’d sit glued to the window—part scared, part mesmerized. That’s the thing about awe: it humbles you and uplifts you all at once.
1. What Sparks Awe in Us?
Awe usually comes from three key ingredients:
Vastness – something so big or complex it challenges your mental map of the world.
Beauty – whether it’s natural, artistic, or human-made.
A challenge to understanding – moments that force your brain to expand its perspective.
That could be the sight of giant redwoods, or simply watching a stranger perform a random act of kindness that shifts how you see humanity.
2. Why Awe Feels Like a Gift
Psychologists have discovered that awe isn’t just nice to have—it actively improves our lives. A study in Emotion found that awe boosts happiness, health, and social connection. Think of it as a mental reset button: it clears the mental clutter and leaves you open, refreshed, and ready to see the world differently.
Personally, after experiencing awe, I notice I breathe easier, talk kinder, and think bigger. It’s like awe wipes the slate clean and says: “Okay, start fresh.”
Awe in the Brain: The Symphony of Neurons at Work
Here’s where it gets fun—what’s happening upstairs when awe hits you?
I often think of it like this: trying to map awe in the brain is like trying to dissect a symphony while the orchestra is still playing. Messy, complicated, but breathtaking.
The Prefrontal Cortex: Your Mental Conductor
The prefrontal cortex—the decision-maker, planner, and big-picture thinker—lights up during awe. It’s the conductor of the orchestra, trying to process massive amounts of new input and slot it into your worldview.
When I stood beneath the aurora borealis, my brain was scrambling—What is this? How is this even possible?—yet all the while, I felt a calm sense of belonging. That’s the prefrontal cortex working overtime to expand its map of the world.
Your Body Joins the Party
But awe isn’t just “in your head.” The autonomic nervous system (the part that handles involuntary responses) kicks in, too. Goosebumps, slower heartbeat, even tears—those are awe’s fingerprints.
Some scientists believe this reaction evolved to help us focus in moments of vastness or threat, sharpening our awareness. In other words, awe isn’t indulgent—it’s adaptive.
- Brain Chemistry: The Emotional Cocktail of Awe
Let’s zoom into the molecules dancing around in your brain.
Dopamine: The “Wow, More Please” Chemical
Dopamine is your reward circuit’s favorite neurotransmitter. Bite into a perfect slice of pizza, land a big win, or witness a breathtaking sunset—it’s dopamine saying, “Yes, this feels good. Do it again.”
That’s why awe can be addictive in the best way: your brain wants you to seek more of it.
Serotonin: The Quiet Balancer
While dopamine pumps you up, serotonin balances the scale. After an awe-filled moment, serotonin smooths things out, giving you that grounded, reflective calm.
If dopamine is the fireworks, serotonin is the glowing ember that keeps you warm after the show. Both work together to etch awe into memory.
My Own Awe-Filled Journeys
Awe is never just theory for me. It’s woven into some of my most unforgettable life chapters.
The Night the Sky Danced
One winter in Norway, I bundled up in ridiculous amounts of clothing and stepped onto a frozen lake. The northern lights unfurled across the sky like green and purple curtains. I literally forgot to breathe for a moment.
That experience didn’t just make me feel tiny—it made me feel connected. Connected to the planet, to humanity, to the incredible science behind solar winds colliding with Earth’s atmosphere. Awe often nudges us to zoom out and see ourselves as part of something much larger.
Awe in the Ordinary
But not all awe is grand. Sometimes it’s quiet. Like sitting in a café, watching strangers cross paths and realizing: this is humanity in motion. Or catching the way sunlight filters through leaves in my backyard.
When you train yourself to notice, you’ll find awe hiding in the everyday. And honestly? Those small doses are just as powerful as the big-ticket moments.
How to Cultivate More Awe in Your Life
Here’s the part I love sharing most: awe isn’t rare. You can invite it into your everyday life with a few intentional shifts.
1. Seek the New and Unfamiliar
Novelty is awe’s best friend. Try a new trail, a new recipe, a new conversation. The unfamiliar forces your brain to stretch and—boom—there’s awe.
2. Practice Mindfulness
Slowing down lets you see what’s already around you. Meditation, journaling, or even mindful walks can sharpen your awe radar. When you stop rushing, you notice more—and noticing more is where awe lives.
3. Share and Reflect
Telling your awe stories—whether to friends, in a journal, or on social media—cements them. When I share a moment of awe, I relive it. And more importantly, I invite others to notice their own.
Awe and Human Connection
Here’s something fascinating: awe doesn’t just change how you feel—it changes how you act. Studies show that people experiencing awe are more generous, more compassionate, and more community-minded.
I’ve noticed it myself: after a breathtaking hike, I’m quicker to hold doors open, to smile at strangers, to forgive small annoyances. It’s like awe flips a switch that says: we’re all in this together.
Imagine if workplaces, classrooms, or even cities built intentional “awe breaks” into the day. The ripple effect could be enormous.
Awe as a Lifelong Practice
The more I study and live awe, the more convinced I am: it’s not a luxury. It’s essential. Awe nourishes curiosity, strengthens mental health, and builds resilience.
Philosophers like Edmund Burke called awe “the sublime.” Modern scientists call it an evolutionary adaptation. I simply call it a reminder—a reminder that life is bigger, richer, and more mysterious than we usually allow ourselves to believe.
The Wonder Wall
What about you? Here are some sparks from fellow readers:
“Ever had a moment where something tiny—like a bird’s song—suddenly felt cosmic?” – Ellie, San Francisco
“Do awe experiences make us more humble, or more powerful?” – Liam, Dublin
“If awe shows us how small we are, does it also reveal how limitless we can be?” – Kira, Tokyo
Now it’s your turn—share your wildest thought about awe. I promise, someone else is wondering the same thing.
Beyond Goosebumps: Living a Life Filled With Awe
Awe isn’t just about standing on a mountain or watching galaxies twinkle overhead. It’s about seeing life—your life, my life—as part of a bigger story. It reshapes our brains, calms our bodies, and reminds us to live with curiosity.
So here’s my challenge: today, wherever you are, pause. Look around with fresh eyes. The extraordinary is already hiding in the ordinary. All you have to do is notice.
