Your Brain
on Altruism
The Power of Connection and Community During Crisis
Exploring how human connection and community shape health, resilience, and well-being, especially in times of crisis.
About the Book
In an era when “self-care” often revolves around consumption and profit, a health and science journalist emphasizes the genuine health advantages of a culture of caring.
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.
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What People Are Saying
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“A powerful dive into how acts of kindness can ignite your brain, boost happiness, and transform both your life and the world around you. Nicole Karlis brilliantly explores the science behind selflessness, revealing how altruism and empathy shape our minds, well-being, and society. Discover the pathways that light up when we put others first—and how this benefits us all!”
— Michael Amster, physician and coauthor of The Power of Awe
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“We all know society would benefit from more compassion, but Karlis shows us the innumerable exciting, surprising, and inspiring ways that growing altruistic habits helps us be happier and healthier individuals. Your Brain on Altruism is exhaustively researched and beautifully written and should be required reading for everyone.”
— Jaimal Yogis, author of The Fear Project: What Our Most Primal Emotion Taught Me about Survival, Success, Surfing … and Love
Altruism, Health & Human Connection
Research continues to show that altruism and human connection are deeply linked to well-being. From improved mental health to increased resilience, the benefits of connection extend far beyond social support.
Your Brain on Altruism explores, the science behind altruism and health, how connection shapes both individual and collective well-being, why community is essential for long-term health
Why Connection Matters in Times of Crisis
Moments of crisis tend to reveal what we already knew — that we need each other to survive.
During these times, connection becomes more than a concept. It becomes a form of support, resilience, and survival.
Your Brain on Altruism examines how people show up for one another when it matters most, and what those moments can teach us about building a more sustainable culture of care.
Press & Features
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Nicole Karlis' new book explains the importance of community-wide caring.
Psychology Today
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Altruism is actually a fantastic survival strategy
Salon
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Nicole Karlis Explores Your Brain on Altruism
Bookstack
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Can Altruism Help Us Through Hard Times?
Greater Good Magazine
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The Surprising Power of Being Nice
Something You Should Know Podcast
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PBS Story in the Public Square
For Educators
& Book Clubs
Your Brain on Altruism is well-suited for courses and discussions focused on:
→ Public health
→ Psychology and human behavior
→ Sociology and systems of care
→ Wellness, culture, and community
For professors, educators, and book clubs, the book offers a thoughtful framework for exploring altruism and health through both research and lived experience.