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May 8, 2025 60 mins

From the pages of classic literature to the plotlines of modern blockbusters, the concept of revenge has held a longstanding grip on our collective psyche. So, this week on Sero Boost: The Happiness Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella interviews psychiatry lecturer James Kimmel, Jr., JD to investigate the neuroscience behind revenge.

Based at the Yale School of Medicine, James Kimmel, Jr., JD is not only a lecturer, but also the founder and co-director of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies. In his work, James Kimmel, Jr., JD largely focuses on neuroscience, psychology, revenge, addiction, forgiveness and violence. Additionally, he is the author behind a new book, ‘The Science of Revenge’, to be released in May 2025.

In this episode, James Kimmel, Jr., JD starts out with an enthralling personal anecdote, illustrating how revenge turns into addiction. Furthermore, he goes into detail about the evolutionary origins of revenge.

Together, Marie and James Kimmel, Jr., JD discuss how the same interventions used to combat addiction could be applied in a revenge context, and how forgiveness towards oneself and others is a key practice in easing the cravings of revenge. So, whether you’re struggling with vengeful behavior, or simply fascinated by the brain’s mysterious movements, tune in to this episode!

Follow James Kimmel, Jr., JD’s work: https://medicine.yale.edu/research-profile/james-kimmel/

Connect with James Kimmel, Jr., JD via email: james.kimmel@yale.edu

Produced by the Happiness Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs. 

Explore LMSL at https://lifemanagementsciencelabs.com/ and visit http://ha.lmsl.net/ for additional information about Happiness Science Labs.

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