Consider "velvetmist," a term generated by a Reddit user with the help of ChatGPT. Described as "a complex and subtle emotion that elicits feelings of comfort, serenity, and a gentle sense of floating," it evokes imagery of hazy sunsets and low-key music, a sensation more ethereal than contentment. The suggestion of essential oils and a curated soundtrack to achieve this state might sound whimsical, even absurd. Yet, the concept of "velvetmist" isn’t an isolated quirk of artificial intelligence. Researchers are increasingly observing the emergence of such "neo-emotions" online, each a testament to the human drive to articulate new dimensions of feeling in response to an ever-evolving world. A July 2025 journal article highlighted "velvetmist" as a prime example of this burgeoning linguistic landscape, underscoring its significance in academic discourse.

The sociologist Marci Cottingham, a pioneering researcher in this field, has extensively documented this trend. Her 2024 paper ignited interest in neo-emotions, and she points to a rich tapestry of newly coined terms that reflect contemporary experiences. "Black joy," for instance, signifies the profound act of Black individuals celebrating embodied pleasure as a form of political resistance against systemic oppression. "Trans euphoria" captures the exhilarating joy of having one’s gender identity affirmed and celebrated, a powerful counterpoint to the often-hostile narratives surrounding transgender experiences. On the other end of the emotional spectrum, "eco-anxiety" articulates the pervasive dread associated with the climate crisis, a palpable fear for the planet’s future. The concept of "hypernormalization" describes the surreal pressure to maintain mundane routines and labor under capitalism amidst global crises like pandemics or political upheaval, a feeling of detachment and enforced normalcy. The pervasive sense of "doom," often seen in terms like "doomer" (someone relentlessly pessimistic) or "doomscrolling" (the immobilized state of apathy and dread induced by an endless feed of negative news), also finds its voice in this new lexicon.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that language has always been a dynamic tool for expressing emotions, and emotional vocabularies have always evolved. During the American Civil War, for example, the term "nostalgia," derived from Greek words for "returning home" and "pain," was used by doctors to describe a severe set of symptoms experienced by soldiers, a condition we would likely recognize today as post-traumatic stress disorder. Over time, "nostalgia" has softened, now often referring to a gentle affection for past cultural products or ways of life. Furthermore, humans have a long history of borrowing emotion words from other cultures to articulate specific feelings, as seen with the Danish concept of hygge (friendly coziness) or the Yiddish term kvell (to brim over with happy pride).

Cottingham posits that the surge in neo-emotions is intrinsically linked to our increasing immersion in online environments. These new terms serve as vital tools for fostering connection and making sense of our lived experiences, particularly resonating and generating significant engagement on social media platforms. Even when a neo-emotion represents a subtle variation or combination of existing feelings, the act of specifying these nuances allows for deeper self-reflection and strengthens our ability to connect with others. As Cottingham aptly puts it, "These are potentially signals that tell us about our place in the world."

This proliferation of neo-emotions signifies a broader paradigm shift in emotion science. For decades, the prevailing scientific view held that humans share a universal set of a few basic emotions. However, over the past decade, groundbreaking work by Lisa Feldman Barrett, a clinical psychologist at Northeastern University, has challenged this notion. Through sophisticated tools like advanced brain imaging and studies of infants and individuals from relatively isolated cultures, Barrett has concluded that there is no inherent "basic" emotional palette. Instead, she argues, the way we experience and articulate our feelings is profoundly shaped by our cultural context. "How do you know what anger and sadness and fear are? Because somebody taught you," Barrett explains, emphasizing the learned and constructed nature of our emotional understanding.

If basic biological emotions are not universally hardwired, then greater emphasis is placed on the social and cultural factors that influence our interpretations of experiences. These interpretations, in turn, are not static but are fluid and can change over time. As Cottingham, a sociologist, observes, "As a sociologist, we think of all emotions as created." Just like any other human-made tool, "emotions are a practical resource people are using as they navigate the world."

While some neo-emotions, like "velvetmist," might initially appear as mere novelties, they can still hold value. Barrett playfully offers "chiplessness" to describe the complex blend of hunger, frustration, and relief experienced when reaching the bottom of a snack bag. More significantly, other neo-emotions, such as "eco-anxiety" and "Black joy," can transcend their linguistic origins and become potent forces in galvanizing social movements and fostering collective action.

The act of both encountering and actively crafting one’s own neo-emotions, whether with or without the aid of artificial intelligence, can yield substantial benefits. Extensive research supports the advantages of "emotional granularity," which refers to the ability to use precise and nuanced language to describe one’s emotions, both positive and negative. This concept of "emodiversity," akin to biodiversity or cultural diversity, suggests that a richer and more varied emotional landscape leads to a more enriched human experience. Studies have consistently shown that individuals with higher emotional granularity tend to have fewer doctor visits, shorter hospital stays, and are less likely to engage in detrimental behaviors such as excessive drinking when stressed, reckless driving, or smoking. Furthermore, emodiversity is a skill that can be cultivated and developed at any age through targeted training.

Imagine a future where we are better equipped to understand and articulate the full spectrum of our feelings, navigating life with a greater sense of clarity and connection. Does the prospect of this "sweet, comforting future" evoke a particular, perhaps dreamy, thrill? And are you absolutely certain you’ve never, not even once, experienced that subtle, serene sensation of "velvetmist"?

Anya Kamenetz is a freelance education reporter and the author of the Substack newsletter "The Golden Hour."