#353 – How does forgiveness improve your health?

If "revenge is a dish best served cold," it may be time you switch to warm foods.

Neurobiological studies show that revenge produces a dopamine surge in the brain. It feels good, exciting, sweet. We want more.

True, fMRIs have yet to identify the Ego jumping up and down as we get back to the person who "wronged" us, but we know it's there, dancing its happy dance every time we retaliate.

However, as it happens with other addictive substances, we build a tolerance, and over time, the dopamine hit isn't enough to keep us going. The happy dance weakens and the Ego gets antsy quicker.

We need more. We hold on to anger, fantasizing about how we'll laugh last.

At one point, the withdrawal is so potent that the Ego starts flipping the sofa cushions, emptying all drawers, and lifting all the rugs: it needs something, even if it's just a shard of the substance.

That's when our health deteriorates.

Fortunately, there's an antidote: forgiveness, equanimity, fairness.

Other studies showed how engaging in these thoughts downregulates, as Jud Brewer PhD writes, "the pain circuitry and the craving centers of the brain, while activating regions associated with self-control and executive function."

In other words, these feelings not only reduce our physical pain, they also help us think more clearly and be less prone to the influence of the Ego and the Ghosts.

So, while revenge may feel sweet, forgiveness is a stronger, healthier option.

Where in your life can you switch to forgiveness to start improving your health?

Love,

Carolina