Brain Behav July 2014 PMID 25161824

The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others' emotions.

Bianca P Acevedo, Elaine N Aron, Arthur Aron, Matthew-Donald Sangster, Nancy Collins, Lucy L Brown

Mentions

155
Peak: 5 in Dec 2022
across 7 sources since Jun 2019

Extended reach

1,095,394
potential audience

Total likes

29,265

Video views

785,981

Mentions per month

Jun 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News75 articles
  • X / Twitter35 posts
  • Facebook20 posts
  • Blogs15 articles
  • YouTube7 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Many comments reflect appreciation and agreement with the research, highlighting the recognition that sensitivity is a valuable trait, supported by phrases like 'sensitivity is deep processing in action' and 'people sensitive have a very beautiful gift.' Their tone mixes curiosity with positivity, emphasizing that understanding and nurturing sensitivity can be empowering rather than a weakness.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many discussions express support and recognition of the research, often emphasizing that sensitivity can be a strength, as seen in comments like 'If nurtured, it’s a superpower' and remarks that sensitive traits are a 'beautiful' quality.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high curiosity and engagement with the topic, with several references to the study and related content, such as links to videos and articles, indicating keen interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some discussions delve into personal reflections or comparisons, like questioning if they might be on the autism spectrum or sharing feelings of sensitivity, demonstrating a moderate level of personal involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the article influences perceptions of sensitivity, fostering positive views and curiosity about the traits, but few indicate a profound or transformative impact on their worldview.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), a trait present in about 20% of humans, which relates to heightened awareness and responsiveness to environmental and social stimuli, especially emotions.
  • Using fMRI scans of 18 participants viewing photos of loved ones and strangers showing different facial expressions, the research finds that individuals with higher SPS show increased activity in brain areas involved in attention, empathy, and action planning.
  • The findings suggest that heightened awareness and emotional responsiveness are core features of SPS, with brain regions linked to sensory integration and self-other processing playing a key role in how highly sensitive people experience and respond to others' emotions.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Judith Orloff MD
@JudithOrloffMD · X

The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.co/pZCOyI6k4p

Aug 29, 2022 · 10 likes · 2 shares · 41,683 followers View post →
Judith Orloff MD
@JudithOrloffMD · X

The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’ emotions https://t.co/pZCOyI6k4p

May 24, 2021 · 10 likes · 3 shares · 41,683 followers View post →
Judith Orloff MD
@JudithOrloffMD · X

The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.co/v2lMPrfljk

Nov 5, 2022 · 8 likes · 1 share · 41,683 followers View post →
CLaE
@leafs_s · X

Brain and Behavior(2014) The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others' emotions https://t.co/XpvwCuN8El

May 4, 2021 · 7 likes · 28,077 followers View post →
Judith Orloff MD
@JudithOrloffMD · X

The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.co/pZCOyI6k4p

Jul 18, 2021 · 6 likes · 1 share · 41,683 followers View post →
GΞN JÜLÆN
@Jules___7 · X

20% of humans (and over 100 other species) have a highly sensitive nervous system in order to respond to the environment for the survival of the species. I suspect there are many of us in Yang Gang. https://t.co/78D2WrBSgZ

Oct 14, 2019 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 2,645 followers View post →

All mentions

Latitude77
@latitude77.bsky.social · Bluesky

The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others' emotions - Acevedo - 2014 - Brain and Behavior - Wiley Online Library #sensitivity #perception #anxiety #depression #mentalhealth

Aug 18, 2025 View post →
Ann (not real name!!)
@ankammer1 · X

An fMRI study reveals that HSPs show stronger brain activation in areas linked to empathy, awareness, and self-processing when seeing emotional faces. Sensitivity is deep processing in action! #HSP #Neuroscience https://t.co/7VtGhiyyFk 1/6 https://t.co/qqyV5cNvcN

Feb 22, 2025 · 335 followers View post →
ไอแอมไดโนซอร์ล์ว์
@ninjanosaurus · X

RT @ilybibi_ATWB: https://t.co/LHHh7scRWb

Jan 29, 2025 · 1 share · 94 followers View post →
ลินหลี
@ilybibi_ATWB · X

https://t.co/LHHh7scRWb

Jan 28, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share · 3,077 followers View post →
Cynthia Simpson
@Scampi101 · X

The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others' emotions - Acevedo - 2014 - Brain and Behavior - Wiley Online Library https://t.co/bJ8xquVHck

Dec 22, 2024 · 8,663 followers View post →
Nom__XD, 飲ん, 诺穆 (They/Them)
@XdNom33675 · X

Maybe I am a HSP; I always take things personally & already heard complaints about that more than once (and I can't do much about that; it's how I feel, sorry). I like Psych2Go videos because they have references; something to read later. https://t.co/Z4uz8b7pPb

Jan 6, 2024 · 1 like · 207 followers View post →
Mark
@MarkEDee123 · X

If nurtured, it’s a superpower, not a weakness. https://t.co/ei8x2aXtg5

Nov 8, 2023 · 828 followers View post →
Arshia ارشیا
@_ArshiaGerami_ · X

RT @nasim_khoshdel: @ShiraziInAU https://t.co/tF4JP9ITY8

May 12, 2023 · 1 share · 980 followers View post →
Arshia ارشیا
@_ArshiaGerami_ · X

RT @nasim_khoshdel: @ShiraziInAU https://t.co/tF4JP9ITY8

May 12, 2023 · 1 share · 980 followers View post →
Nasim khoshdel
@nasim_khoshdel · X

@ShiraziInAU https://t.co/tF4JP9ITY8

May 12, 2023 · 3 likes · 1 share · 587 followers View post →
Nasim khoshdel
@nasim_khoshdel · X

@ShiraziInAU https://t.co/tF4JP9ITY8

May 12, 2023 · 4 likes · 1 share · 587 followers View post →
jupiter
@notgiu_ · X

@ApisAurora @BiodiversidadeB Não liga pra esses que xingam. Pessoas sensíveis tem um dom muito bonito. Cada pessoa é de um jeito e as sensíveis tem uma qualidade linda. https://t.co/Ptuyv5SWwe

Mar 30, 2023 · 250 followers View post →
Javi Ciborro
@papayaykware · X

https://t.co/TaRm7FKLTx

Mar 8, 2023 · 8,041 followers View post →
blubber_bones
@blubber_bones · X

https://t.co/hNuBvCKZmU i often wondered if maybe i was on the autism spectrum cuz of my awful social skills & sensitivity to light & sound but this cud b another explanation definitely greatly affected by other people's emotions a negative vibe in a room can send me spiraling

Dec 14, 2022 · 1 like · 1,074 followers View post →
Gil Flores
@Darkcrow022 · X

Are You a Highly Sensitive Person? https://t.co/SFim0Qlu8d via @YouTube

Dec 11, 2022 · 93 followers View post →
งิต.
@mustard_bae · X

Are You a Highly Sensitive Person? https://t.co/OsCHwBWnm4 via @YouTube

Dec 8, 2022 · 31 followers View post →
Eréndira.
@Erndira38788489 · X

RT @JudithOrloffMD: The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.…

Nov 9, 2022 · 1 share · 35 followers View post →
Stefanie Lingenfelter
@SacredLadyLing · X

RT @JudithOrloffMD: The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.…

Nov 5, 2022 · 1 share · 798 followers View post →
Judith Orloff MD
@JudithOrloffMD · X

The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.co/v2lMPrfljk

Nov 5, 2022 · 8 likes · 1 share · 41,683 followers View post →
Matthew Alexander❤️‍
@mattalexander36 · X

RT @JudithOrloffMD: The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.…

Sep 7, 2022 · 2 shares · 599 followers View post →
Judith Orloff MD
@JudithOrloffMD · X

The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.co/pZCOyI6k4p

Aug 29, 2022 · 10 likes · 2 shares · 41,683 followers View post →
John Wick’s Pound Puppy
@NerdyInNOLA · X

The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others' emotions https://t.co/vMAceXRJ5f

Jan 21, 2022 · 1 like · 2,502 followers View post →
Judith Orloff MD
@JudithOrloffMD · X

The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.co/pZCOyI6k4p

Jan 12, 2022 · 41,683 followers View post →
Dr. BethAnne KW
@DrBethAnneKW · X

RT @JudithOrloffMD: The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.…

Jul 20, 2021 · 1 share · 278 followers View post →
Judith Orloff MD
@JudithOrloffMD · X

The Highly Sensitive Brain: An fMRI Study of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Response to Others’ Emotions https://t.co/pZCOyI6k4p

Jul 18, 2021 · 6 likes · 1 share · 41,683 followers View post →
Tania Marshall
@TaniaAMarshall · X

RT @JudithOrloffMD: The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’ emotions https://t.…

Jun 8, 2021 · 3 shares · 32,932 followers View post →
Nicole Kanke
@wound3dheal3r · X

RT @JudithOrloffMD: The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’ emotions https://t.…

May 25, 2021 · 3 shares · 17 followers View post →
Sara Bethel
@saraannebethel · X

RT @JudithOrloffMD: The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’ emotions https://t.…

May 24, 2021 · 3 shares · 32 followers View post →
Judith Orloff MD
@JudithOrloffMD · X

The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’ emotions https://t.co/pZCOyI6k4p

May 24, 2021 · 10 likes · 3 shares · 41,683 followers View post →
CLaE
@leafs_s · X

Brain and Behavior(2014) The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others' emotions https://t.co/XpvwCuN8El

May 4, 2021 · 7 likes · 28,077 followers View post →
いいむらぼ(飯村研究室)
@Tokyo6Heart · X

@mugenyagii https://t.co/FjzgIEkyqY

Jan 18, 2021 · 4,274 followers View post →
Bearded_Unicorn
@shaunz_mind · X

RT @Yangsanity2: 20% of humans (and over 100 other species) have a highly sensitive nervous system in order to respond to the environment f…

Oct 15, 2019 · 2 shares · 1,981 followers View post →
Triangular Cat
@CatTriangular · X

RT @Yangsanity2: 20% of humans (and over 100 other species) have a highly sensitive nervous system in order to respond to the environment f…

Oct 15, 2019 · 2 shares · 237 followers View post →
GΞN JÜLÆN
@Jules___7 · X

20% of humans (and over 100 other species) have a highly sensitive nervous system in order to respond to the environment for the survival of the species. I suspect there are many of us in Yang Gang. https://t.co/78D2WrBSgZ

Oct 14, 2019 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 2,645 followers View post →
Tove
@Tovetoven · X

@asaplsnr @anntikapitalist Tycker ju att det verkar finnas en hel del belägg: https://t.co/vMYdsPKV2i

Aug 22, 2019 · 1 like · 351 followers View post →
syl
@syl_pli · X

@thrivinghybrid @syl_phy Furthermore, you will likely not find HSP / SPS (the original subject of this conversation) on an easy-to-access medical information website, because it is NOT a disorder or a diagnosis. However, you can read up on actual research articles. For example: https://t.co/LAOcU950qv

Jun 28, 2019 · 352 followers View post →