The Next Big Idea Daily Your Brain on Revenge
8 snips
Jun 30, 2025 
James Kimmel Jr., a Yale psychiatry lecturer and author of The Science of Revenge, dives into the psychology behind revenge and its addictive qualities. He reveals how seeking payback activates our brain's dopamine response, making it harder to let go. The discussion emphasizes the healing power of forgiveness, illustrating how it benefits the victim and promotes personal peace. Listeners learn about rewiring their minds to break free from the grip of revenge and embrace a more fulfilling emotional journey.
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Revenge Is A Brain Addiction
- Revenge is an addictive behavior driven by dopamine surges in the brain's reward pathways.
- It underlies many forms of human aggression from social media outrage to extreme violence and terrorism.
Addiction Model Changes Violence Prevention
- Viewing violence as an addiction opens new paths for prevention and treatment.
- Techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy and anti-craving medications can help manage revenge cravings.
Culture Feeds Revenge Addiction
- American society is deeply entrenched in a cultural addiction to revenge across politics, law, entertainment, and social media.
- This creates feedback loops of grievance that fuel rage, violence, and polarization.
