The Neuroscience of Emotions

The Neuroscience of Compassion

Oxytocin, the vagus nerve and the care-giving system: how the brain transforms empathic distress into motivated action

The Neuroscience of Compassion

1,087-word article with 10 Harvard references.

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Compassion is not the same as empathy. Empathy feels what others feel. Compassion feels for others and is motivated to help. This distinction has profound neural implications, empathy can lead to burnout, while compassion activates reward circuits and sustains wellbeing. This article explores how the brain generates compassion, why it evolved, and how it can be trained.

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  • Full 1,087-word article with 10 Harvard references
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