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Your Brain on Altruism
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11 March 2025

Helping others can enhance our physical and mental well-being, boost resilience, and nurture a sense of fulfillment and connection beyond crises. In Your Brain on Altruism, health and science journalist Nicole Karlis delves into the science behind generosity and the benefits of fostering a culture of care for our health. She explores cutting-edge research on the sociology and psychology of altruism, revealing how acts of kindness during crises—such as COVID-19, natural disasters, and wars—inspire people to set aside differences and help one another.
Through interviews with innovators creating infrastructures for social connection—from a former entrepreneur leading a social prescribing movement, to doctors prescribing volunteer work and acts of kindness—Karlis shows how we all can contribute to cultivating kindness. A powerful call for a culture of caring, this book urges us to see taking care of one another as a social strength. By embracing this mindset and viewing ourselves as stewards of kindness, we can combat the epidemic of loneliness and build a more compassionate and resilient society.
"For countless people, the current situation in their own world and the world at large is extremely challenging. It's not all that surprising that many people do a deep dive into ways to enhance their own well-being because they are overwhelmed. Yet, cutting-edge science shows that there are many benefits to extending self-care to one's community. A recent book addresses this, Your Brain on Altruism."
“Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and real-world examples, Karlis examines how caring for others can improve our well-being, build resilience, and foster lasting community — during moments of collective crisis, and beyond. She also challenges our current idea of self-care, suggesting that it may be time to reframe it not just as personal restoration, but as something communal.”
“Altruism is actually a fantastic survival strategy.”
Acknowledgments
Prologue
I · Caring in Crisis
1 The Disaster Effect
2 Bounded Solidarity
3 The Loneliness Crisis
4 The Coregulation Fix
II · The Alchemy of Altruism
5 The Kindness Intervention
6 Better Together
7 The Mālama Mindset
8 Volunteering for All
9 Why Mattering Matters
III · Sustaining Systemic Caring
10 The Power of Empathy
11 Nature’s Fire Extinguisher
12 When You Can’t Give, Witness
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index