Today’s guest is James Kimmel Jr., a former litigator of 20 years, currently Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale school of Medicine and Author of the book&nbsp;we discuss today called The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World’s Deadliest Addiction—and How to Overcome It (2025).Here’s the question: What if revenge actually works like a drug—lighting up the brain’s reward system and keeping us stuck in cravings for payback? In this episode we talk about the neuroscience&nbsp;of revenge and why it can become compulsive, engaging similar reward pathways to those associated with craving and addiction.&nbsp;James tells the personal story that launched his life’s work—years of bullying, a devastating loss, and a split-second decision that changed everything. We explore how grievances fuel rumination, how self-control can get hijacked under stress, and what it takes to break the cycle. If you’ve ever replayed an old hurt or struggled to let go, this conversation offers a fresh, brain-based roadmap toward healing—including how&nbsp;forgiveness may just be one of the most underused tools for healing and freedom.Resource: <a href="https://www.jameskimmeljr.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.jameskimmeljr.com</a> We hope you’ll check out the muse brain sensing headband at <a href="http://choosemuse.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">choosemuse.com</a> and use code untangle 15 for your discount.Grateful to our sponsors Quince, Welleco, Fabletica and Strawberry.me.See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

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The Science of Revenge: Why Getting Even Feels (so!) Good—and How to Overcome it. With James Kimmel Jr.

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