• Mental Health

Brains, Chemicals, and Free Will: Do We Control Our Moods or Do They Control Us?

Published: July 16, 2025
Updated: July 16, 2025
4 mins

Mood is a fundamental part of our mental and emotional landscape. It shapes how we feel, how we think, and how we interact with the world around us. It influences everything from the decisions we make to how we relate to others, and even how we perceive our own wellbeing.

While most people experience natural shifts in mood throughout the day or week, some changes can feel unpredictable or overwhelming. In certain cases, mood patterns may signal a deeper issue, such as a mood disorder.

What is Mood and How is it Different from Emotions?

In psychology, mood refers to a general emotional state that tends to last for an extended period of time – often hours or even days. Unlike emotions, which are usually short-lived and triggered by specific events (like feeling angry after a disagreement), moods are more diffuse. They may not have a clear cause and can subtly color a person’s overall outlook or behavior.

To put it simply: feeling “happy” after good news is an emotion, while being in a “positive mood” throughout the day is more about a sustained emotional tone. Similarly, someone might feel “sad” in response to a specific loss, but remain in a “low mood” for days afterward without a single triggering event.

Common examples of mood states include feeling irritable, calm, gloomy, cheerful, or anxious. These states influence how we interpret and respond to the world – even if we aren’t fully aware of them in the moment.

Essentially, mood is a baseline emotional backdrop that shapes how we experience life from moment to moment, even when we’re not actively reacting to anything in particular.

What Influences Our Mood?

Moods are shaped by a wide range of internal and external factors. From brain chemistry to life stressors, multiple systems interact to influence how we feel on any given day.

Biological factors

The brain plays a central role in regulating mood, and much of this regulation comes down to neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These chemical messengers help control feelings of pleasure, motivation, and emotional balance.

Hormonal shifts can also impact mood, especially during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or in conditions like thyroid disorders. Even small hormonal fluctuations can lead to noticeable mood changes in some individuals.

Additionally, genetics matter. People with a family history of mood disorders may be more prone to developing similar conditions, suggesting a biological predisposition that interacts with life experiences.

Environmental influences

Where and how we live can have a major impact on mood. Stressful life events, relationship dynamics, financial pressures, and even an argument with a loved one can temporarily shift how we feel.

Our physical environment matters, too. Exposure to natural light, noise levels, and access to outdoor spaces can all affect emotional wellbeing. A prime example is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression triggered by reduced sunlight during certain times of the year.

Lifestyle factors

Everyday habits also play a big role. Sleep, for instance, is tightly linked to mood regulation – poor or irregular sleep can make people more emotionally reactive. Similarly, diet and exercise influence brain chemistry and stress resilience.

Substance use, including alcohol, caffeine, and recreational drugs, can cause both short- and long-term mood shifts. And finally, daily routines – like maintaining social connections or having structured days – help stabilize mood and support emotional health over time.

Mood Changes and Mood Shifting – What’s Normal?

Mood changes are a natural part of daily life. Most people experience subtle shifts in mood throughout the day or week – feeling energized in the morning, a little irritable after a poor night’s sleep, or more relaxed after socializing. These fluctuations are often tied to factors like sleep, nutrition, stress, or hormonal rhythms.

Mood shifting refers to the way our mood adjusts in response to internal or external changes. It’s normal to feel down after a disappointment or more upbeat in pleasant surroundings. These shifts are part of healthy emotional regulation and show that we're responsive to our environment.

The key difference lies in adaptability versus instability. Normal mood shifts tend to be proportional to life events and short-lived, while rapid, unpredictable, or extreme swings – especially without a clear cause – may signal something more concerning.

Everyone’s emotional baseline is different, but most people fall within a “normal mood range,” meaning their highs and lows are manageable, infrequent, and don’t interfere with daily functioning.

When Do Mood Swings Become a Concern?

Mood swings refer to noticeable shifts in emotional state – like going from cheerful to irritable or tearful in a short span of time. While occasional ups and downs are normal, mood swings become concerning when they’re intense, frequent, or unpredictable enough to disrupt daily life.

People who experience constant or dramatic shifts may be described as emotionally labile, a clinical term for rapidly changing emotions. In some cases, this may point to an underlying mental health condition. For example, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is often associated with unstable mood and difficulty regulating emotions. Other conditions linked to mood swings include bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, and some mood disorders related to hormonal or neurological changes.

While casually someone might say "moody," clinically it may be a sign of emotional lability or a mood disorder, depending on severity and context.

Mood swings are worth paying attention to when they interfere with relationships, work performance, or self-care, or when they feel out of proportion to what's actually happening. In those cases, professional support can help identify the cause and explore treatment options.

What are Mood Disorders?

Mood disorders are clinical mental health conditions that involve persistent or extreme disruptions in mood that go beyond everyday fluctuations. Unlike temporary mood states – like feeling sad after a tough day – mood disorders last longer, impact functioning, and often require treatment.

Here’s an overview of several conditions commonly found on the mood disorders list:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD): Characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, and changes in appetite or sleep. These symptoms last at least two weeks and interfere with daily life.

• Bipolar disorder: Involves episodes of depression as well as periods of mania or hypomania (elevated mood, impulsivity, and increased energy).

• Cyclothymia: A milder form of bipolar disorder marked by chronic mood shifting between mild depressive and hypomanic symptoms over at least two years.

• Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia): A long-term, lower-grade depressive state that lasts two years or more.

To be diagnosed, symptoms must meet certain clinical criteria, including duration, intensity, and impact on functioning. People with mood disorders may also experience irritability, hopelessness, concentration issues, or physical symptoms like fatigue or aches.

Treatment typically involves therapy, medication (such as a mood stabilizer or antidepressant), and lifestyle adjustments.

If mood issues are ongoing, intense, or interfere with relationships, work, or daily tasks, it’s a good time to talk to a doctor or therapist. Early support can make a big difference.

Can We Control Our Mood or Does it Control Us?

While we can’t always choose how we feel in the moment, research shows that we do have some control over our mood – especially when we learn to recognize patterns and practice emotional regulation.

Psychological approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to help people manage mood more effectively. These tools teach individuals to challenge unhelpful thought patterns, respond more calmly to stress, and stay present instead of being overwhelmed by emotional shifts.

In more severe cases, especially for those diagnosed with mood disorders, medication may be part of treatment. A mood stabilizer – such as lithium or certain anticonvulsants – is often used to manage conditions like bipolar disorder, where mood swings are extreme and disruptive.

That being said, lifestyle factors still play a powerful role. Regular exercise, supportive therapy, healthy sleep, and even something as simple as listening to music can help improve and stabilize mood over time.

Emotional regulation isn’t about pushing feelings away – it’s about recognizing and managing them in healthy, sustainable ways. With the right strategies and, when needed, professional help, we can learn to respond to our moods instead of being ruled by them.

How Can LifeMD Help?

LifeMD can simplify your journey by connecting you with licensed professionals who can provide personalized support. Through LifeMD, you can seek treatment for a wide range of mental health services – including medication management and talk therapy – with 95% of patients covered by insurance.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and there are professionals ready to guide you toward better mental health. Take the first step today.

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