A closer look
The old proverb says that seeking revenge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die, and neurological scans confirm this is entirely accurate. When humans plot retaliation against someone who betrayed them, the brain's dorsal striatum lights up brilliantly, pumping out dopamine that feels practically identical to a cocaine rush. However, Ernst Fehr's research shows that actually executing the revenge is a massive psychological trap. While the anticipation feels amazing, carrying out the act keeps the trauma fresh in the memory centers, effectively preventing the victim from moving on and leaving them far more depressed than those who simply walked away.
