In which part of the brain are emotional memories primarily processed?

Emotional memories are primarily processed in the amygdala, which is a small, almond-shaped structure located within the temporal lobe of the brain. The amygdala plays a critical role in the formation and storage of memories associated with emotional experiences, particularly those linked to fear and pleasure. It processes the emotional aspects of stimuli and signals other brain areas to respond appropriately to various emotional cues, thus enabling individuals to learn from emotionally charged situations.

While the hippocampus is also involved in memory processing, especially in the context of forming new explicit memories related to facts and events, it does not specifically process emotional memories to the same extent as the amygdala. The cerebellum is primarily associated with coordination and motor control, while the angular gyrus is involved in language processing and spatial cognition, neither of which are directly tied to the processing of emotional memories.