🧠 Understanding the Brain’s Response to Social Rejection When we perceive a social rejection cue—such as an eye roll, a sigh, or a dismissive gesture—our brain interprets it as a potential threat. This activates the stress response system, increasing levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which can narrow our emotional regulation and impair our ability to focus. Neurologist and social neuroscientist Dr. Matthew Lieberman (UCLA) found that by consciously labeling the emotion or response we’re observ