Revenge Feels Good—But Only for a Moment
When people think about revenge, their brains release dopamine—the same chemical linked to drugs, sugar, and gambling. That’s what James Kimmel Jr., JD, a Yale-trained scholar, calls “revenge addiction.”
It feels satisfying at first. But that high is short-lived. The brain starts to crave more. People replay events, relive the anger, and imagine retaliation. Instead of closure, they get stuck in a loop.
In other words, revenge doesn’t solve the problem—it feeds it.
Why “An Eye for an Eye” Doesn’t Work Anymore
The old idea of justice—retributive justice—assumes people act rationally. But the science says otherwise. When the brain is hijacked by anger, fear, or trauma, logic takes a back seat. The prefrontal cortex, which handles judgment and self-control, gets overpowered.
So, when someone acts out of revenge, they’re often not in full control. They’re responding to a craving, not a plan.
Mental Health Is Medical, Not Moral
In the past, people viewed mental illness as weakness or sin. Today, we know better. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma affect how the brain works. They can fuel impulsive or harmful actions, especially when untreated.
Blaming someone for acting out under extreme emotional stress is like blaming someone for having a seizure. Understanding this doesn’t excuse bad behavior, but it opens the door to better solutions.
Forgiveness Rewires the Brain Too
Here’s the good news: the brain can change. It’s flexible. It adapts. That’s called neuroplasticity.
Forgiveness taps into this. It activates different brain regions—ones linked to empathy, reasoning, and emotional balance. It calms the body and reduces stress. Even imagining forgiveness starts the process.
Unlike revenge, which provides a quick hit and leaves lasting damage, forgiveness promotes long-term well-being. It’s not weakness. It’s a choice to stop feeding the cycle.
People Change—Literally
The brain doesn’t stop growing at adulthood. It keeps changing based on habits, environment, and experience. That means someone who made a serious mistake at 20 can be a completely different person at 40.
This matters. It challenges the old “eye for an eye” model of justice. If the brain can heal and grow, then justice should also focus on change, not just payback.
Time for a Smarter View of Justice
Revenge may feel natural, but it’s not sustainable. It’s addictive. It traps people in pain.
Forgiveness, growth, and understanding offer a better path. Science backs it. The brain supports it. And the future depends on it.
Justice isn’t about keeping the cycle going. It’s about breaking it.