#altruism

#altruism

Altruistic behaviors may come at a cost, but they relieve physical pain. Altruism affects specific regions of the brain to decrease pain, establishing positive feedback loops with durable effects.

Volunteering activates the brain's reward system and releases endorphins, leading to increased happiness and reduced feelings of loneliness among individuals who engage in altruistic acts.

Measuring success in nonprofit organizations comes down to understanding the mission's impact rather than focusing solely on profit.

"We've been called the fifth emergency service,' Howard says, highlighting the community's role in reuniting lost items with their owners, transcending typical treasure hunting."

To me, this looks very much like a behavior that's driven by what I would call the altruistic impulse, suggests neuroscientist James Burkett.