Mindset Neuroscience Podcast How revenge affects our brain and how we can break the cycle w/ Dr. Kimmel
Sep 18, 2025
James Kimmel Jr., a violence researcher and psychiatry professor, delves into the dark neuroscience of revenge. He shares his journey from a bullied child to a litigation expert, highlighting how revenge can become addictive. The conversation explores the brain's pain and reward circuits during acts of retaliation. Kimmel also offers practical forgiveness tools to break the cycle of revenge, emphasizing the power of reframing thoughts and applying strategies from addiction treatment.
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Near-Fatal Revenge Chase
- James Kimmel Jr. chased teenage bullies with a loaded revolver after they killed his dog and blew up his mailbox.
- He stopped when a sudden insight made him weigh the catastrophic personal costs of violence and drove him to put the gun down.
Becoming A 'Professional' Avenger
- As a litigator James Kimmel Jr. realized the legal system can be framed as a professionalized, paid form of revenge called 'justice.'
- His legal career made him question whether he was deriving addictive pleasure from winning and punishing on clients' behalf.
Pain–Reward Brain Loop In Revenge
- Grievances activate the brain's pain network (anterior insula) and trigger reward circuitry that makes revenge feel pleasurable.
- Revenge becomes pathological only when prefrontal control fails and the craving persists despite major negative consequences.
