Generosity is one of those uncanny actions that bring about happiness. Pay a little attention to how you feel after you help someone and you will soon become convinced about this truism. Even as we live in a world where we feel that everyone is out to get the other person, there are many people who are addicted to generosity.
The benefits of altruism and giving are many. Generous people are known to live healthier and longer lives. They are applauded and eulogized in society especially because in the world there are many who need the support and help. This can, however, take a weird turn if we start going to extreme extents to ‘show’ that we are giving.
This does not mean that one feels good in giving only when one is praised. Giving anonymously also makes us feel good. This is called the helper’s high that one experiences when one gives. The act of giving engages the mesolimbic reward system in our brains releasing a surge of dopamine in the blood. This is the same hormone that is released when we have a sumptuous meal, have sex, play video games, or snort cocaine.
Generosity or Pathological Altruism
As with almost everything good, too much generosity is not a good thing. If one gives in to the ‘good’ feeling one gets, one can actually get addicted to it. Accompanied with this unaware and compulsive form of giving are also some side-effects that can accrue very quickly, if not checked.
