Neural correlates of gratitude
Self-transcendence is among the central features of spiritual experience, and it turns out that the loss of self has a neural signature. There is a set of linked structures in the brain that are more active whenever we are processing events from an egocentric point of view—thinking about what I want, what I need to do next, or what other people thi
... See moreJonathan Haidt • The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
Gratitude, in its simplest form, is the acknowledgement of the benefits you’ve received—some sort of value that others have bestowed upon you. As psychologist Robert Emmons explains,
Chris Schembra • Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours
Neuroscience is revealing a fascinating link between gratitude and generosity.
Sigal Samuel • Giving thanks may make your brain more altruistic
In research conducted by the Flow Research Collective and USC neuroscientist Glenn Fox, we saw a direct link between a daily gratitude practice and a high-flow lifestyle. Why? It appears that the optimism and confidence produced by gratitude lower anxiety, which makes us less fearful of stretching to the edge of our abilities and more able to targe
... See moreSteven Kotler • The Art of Impossible
The cultivation of a loving concern for other people’s well-being has a surprising and unique benefit: the brain’s circuitry for happiness energizes, along with compassion.19 Loving-kindness also boosts the connections between the brain’s circuits for joy and happiness and the prefrontal cortex, a zone critical for guiding behavior.20 And the great
... See moreDaniel Goleman • The Science of Meditation: How to Change Your Brain, Mind and Body
Studies have shown that gratitude has been associated with increased life satisfaction (Datu & Bernardo, 2020; Datu & Mateo, 2015), happiness (Froh et al., 2008; Seligman et al., 2005), healthy eating behavior (Fritz et al., 2019), and positive emotions (Datu & Mateo, 2020). Further, this construct has been linked to reduced levels of d... See more