Skip to main content

Beyond Alzheimer's: How Brain Inflammation Can Affect Capacity for Empathy, Compassion

Share This article

When it comes to the topic of brain inflammation, most people likely think of devastating neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. But one neurologist suggests that an inflamed brain can also impact one's emotions.

For instance, new research shows that lowering inflammation in the brain increases empathy, compassion, and planning for the future.

"The actual ability to connect to the part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, that allows empathy and compassion, and planning for the future, that connection is emphasized when we've reduced inflammation," neurologist and author Dr. David Perlmutter told CBN News Health Reporter Lorie Johnson.

Conversely, if you have high levels of inflammation in your brain, that can lead to impulsiveness and being less considerate of others.

"In higher states of inflammation, we connect to a lower part of the brain called the amygdala that makes us much more impulsive, much less likely to consider the feelings of another person and much less likely to think about our actions in terms of the future," Dr. Perlmutter explained.

To find out more about how you can lower inflammation, drive away depression and think more clearly, watch CBN News' interview with Dr. David Perlmutter on the CBN Newschannel Tuesday night at 9:30 pm ET.

You can also watch episodes of Healthy Living HERE.

Share This article

About The Author

Crystal
Woodall