James Kimmel, Jr., a Yale psychiatry lecturer, lawyer, and author of The Science of Revenge, describes how lawyers (and others) can become “addicted to revenge”, with the legal profession uniquely positioned to enable that compulsion as a socially sanctioned pathway.
In Kimmel’s view, lawyers are uniquely equipped—and compensated—to facilitate revenge in a socially acceptable form. Yet, that role can fuel a dangerous compulsion when the neurochemical cycles of dopamine reward and impaired self-control take hold. His message: recognizing revenge as an addiction and embracing compassion, forgiveness, and self-awareness can help break the cycle.
Are you addicted to revenge?
Revenge as Addiction - But Legalized
In one interview, Kimmel frames lawyers as the only professionals licensed to “prescribe, manufacture, and distribute revenge" in the name of justice. He likens this to doctors prescribing opioids: “street justice” (physical or verbal assault) is illegal, but through the courtroom, lawyers offer a “legalized form of revenge” complete with societal approval and financial reward. The dopamine rush from winning cases can become habit-forming, fueling an addictive cycle of retribution for both lawyers and clients.
The Neuroscience of Revenge Addiction
Supporting his experience, Kimmel turns to neuroscience: A grievance activates the brain's pain network (anterior insula).
Retaliation—even just fantasizing about it—triggers the brain’s reward circuitry, including the nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum, releasing dopamine in the same way as substance use does.
At the same time, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for self-control and judgment, becomes inhibited, weakening restraint.
In short, the brain on revenge mirrors the brain on drugs, making revenge both biologically addictive and hard to resist.
In one interview, Kimmel frames lawyers as the only professionals licensed to “prescribe, manufacture, and distribute revenge" in the name of justice. He likens this to doctors prescribing opioids: “street justice” (physical or verbal assault) is illegal, but through the courtroom, lawyers offer a “legalized form of revenge” complete with societal approval and financial reward. The dopamine rush from winning cases can become habit-forming, fueling an addictive cycle of retribution for both lawyers and clients.
The Neuroscience of Revenge Addiction
Supporting his experience, Kimmel turns to neuroscience: A grievance activates the brain's pain network (anterior insula).
Retaliation—even just fantasizing about it—triggers the brain’s reward circuitry, including the nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum, releasing dopamine in the same way as substance use does.
At the same time, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for self-control and judgment, becomes inhibited, weakening restraint.
In short, the brain on revenge mirrors the brain on drugs, making revenge both biologically addictive and hard to resist.
In Kimmel’s view, lawyers are uniquely equipped—and compensated—to facilitate revenge in a socially acceptable form. Yet, that role can fuel a dangerous compulsion when the neurochemical cycles of dopamine reward and impaired self-control take hold. His message: recognizing revenge as an addiction and embracing compassion, forgiveness, and self-awareness can help break the cycle.
Are you addicted to revenge?
According to Kimmel, revenge is in play in our brains and can become an addiction or disorder much like any addictive substance like drugs or alcohol.
Kimmel says symptoms of revenge might be the same as the symptoms for substance disorders to drugs and alcohol as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
A quick test he proposes is to ask if these behaviors and thoughts about getting revenge applied to you in the last year:
-Using more revenge more than you would normally want to
-Hard to cut down on the times you use revenge
-More time getting revenge, using and recovering from revenge
-Cravings or urges to use revenge
-Getting revenge takes time from your life responsibilities
-Revenge interferes with your relationships
-Giving up important activities because of revenge
-Using revenge even if it puts you in danger
-Using revenge even when it harms you
-Needing to use revenge more and more
-Having withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using revenge
Having 2 or 3 would mean a "mild" disorder, 4 or 5 a moderate disorder, and 6 or more a severe disorder.
It is speculated about 20 percent of us are addicted to revenge at sometime in our lives.
Kimmel says symptoms of revenge might be the same as the symptoms for substance disorders to drugs and alcohol as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
A quick test he proposes is to ask if these behaviors and thoughts about getting revenge applied to you in the last year:
-Using more revenge more than you would normally want to
-Hard to cut down on the times you use revenge
-More time getting revenge, using and recovering from revenge
-Cravings or urges to use revenge
-Getting revenge takes time from your life responsibilities
-Revenge interferes with your relationships
-Giving up important activities because of revenge
-Using revenge even if it puts you in danger
-Using revenge even when it harms you
-Needing to use revenge more and more
-Having withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using revenge
Having 2 or 3 would mean a "mild" disorder, 4 or 5 a moderate disorder, and 6 or more a severe disorder.
It is speculated about 20 percent of us are addicted to revenge at sometime in our lives.
Video courtesy YouTube: Interview on Startalk with James Kimmel on the Science of Revenge
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