The Science of Revenge with James Kimmel Jr.

About This Episode

Are we addicted… to revenge? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O’Reilly break down the neuroscience behind revenge-seeking, what motivates violence, and how science can help stop it with James Kimmel, Jr., lawyer, lecturer in psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, and author of The Science of Revenge.

We explore new research that frames compulsive revenge-seeking as a behavioral addiction. James opens up about his traumatic experience as a bullied teen that nearly drove him to kill. What stopped him? And how did that moment drive him to study revenge? What does the brain look like on revenge? Learn how revenge taps into pathways in the brain used for pain, pleasure, and reward. Why is revenge so pleasurable, even when it’s only imagined? Could our craving for revenge be strong enough to override our conscience?

We examine the role of the prefrontal cortex, explore why some people act out violently while others don’t. Is there a biological basis for violent crime? Could addiction frameworks and anti-craving medications be used to prevent violence before it happens? And how do social connections affect recovery from revenge addiction?

As corny as it sounds, we learn how forgiveness has an actual impact on the brain. Can imagining forgiveness really deactivate pain and addiction circuits in the brain? Why do so many people misunderstand forgiveness as something you give to others, rather than something that heals yourself? From FMRI scans to courtroom ethics, from stop-the-steal conspiracies to school shootings: is American society addicted to revenge? How do media, social networks, and politics inflame that addiction? And what happens when entire nations pursue revenge?

By the end, we return to the core question: if revenge is neurologically rewarding, how do we stop people from pursuing it? Is prevention possible? What signs can we look for before it’s too late? And could forgiveness be the ultimate tool for changing not only our brains, but our culture?

Thanks to our Patrons Daniel D., Wendi Su, Jim, Patrick Johnson, Lyleblakeo, Anabel del Val, Alex P, Harry Peters jr, Scott Syme, Katie Littman, Jarrett Rice, James, Mindy Graulich, Bart, John Dragicevich, Michelle Gerez, Renee A Chen, Sarthak Misra, Drew and Bobbi Monks, Nina Kattwinkel, Emir Tenic, Tyler Kunkel, Matt Baldwin, jscribble, Tore Aslaksen, Melina Morgan, kenneth cooke, Dale Ireen Goldstein, Christopher Arnold, Etienne moolman, Daniel S. Hall, Quillan, Jeff Whitacre, Jeremy Schmidt, Brian Reed, Frank, Micheal Trager, Irene, Robert Tillinghast, HeWhoQueries, Samantha, Laura knight lucas, Amagerikaner, Webb Peterson, Jeramiah Keele, Joe Quintanilla, kent simon, Tim Albertson, Fallon Cohen, John Terranova, Phinphan77, yocheved Devehcoy, Lasha Kanchaveli, and Nalini Martin for supporting us this week.

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