March 2016 PMID 26746580

The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity.

Prathik Kini, Joel Wong, Sydney McInnis, Nicole Gabana, Joshua W Brown

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Mentions

244
Peak: 5 in Nov 2019
across 6 sources since Nov 2019

Extended reach

12,129
potential audience

Total likes

83

Video views

5,207

Mentions per month

Nov 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

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  • YouTube5 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions reflect a positive reception of the article, with examples like mentions of lasting neural effects and mental health benefits from writing gratitude letters, expressing appreciation with words like 'lasting effects' and 'psychological benefits.' The tone is generally enthusiastic but accessible, emphasizing the practical implications of the research for well-being.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the positive findings of the study, emphasizing the benefits of gratitude expression for mental health and neural activity.

InterestHigh interest

The topic of gratitude and its neural impact sparks significant curiosity, especially with mentions of its lasting effects over several months.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants reference specific research outcomes, such as neural benefits and psychological improvements, indicating a moderate level of thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest that the research influences opinions on mental health practices and encourages gratitude exercises, though the language remains relatively informal.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates how expressing gratitude affects brain activity, particularly in individuals undergoing psychotherapy for depression or anxiety, by comparing those who write gratitude letters with a control group.
  • Results show that gratitude expression activates specific brain regions, mostly separate from areas involved in empathy, and that a gratitude writing intervention leads to increased and lasting neural sensitivity to gratitude, especially in the medial prefrontal cortex.
  • Over three months, participants who engaged in gratitude writing demonstrated both increased feelings of gratitude and heightened brain responses to gratitude, suggesting long-term neural and emotional benefits from the intervention.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Joshua Brown
@JoshBrownNeuro · X

Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our work on neural effects of gratitude, showing lasting effects 3 months after gratitude letter writing. #HappyThanksgiving https://t.co/8kMtA99OSZ https://t.co/BytaMZeclA

Nov 28, 2019 · 12 likes · 4 shares · 895 followers View post →
OpeningDoorsProject
@Openingthedoor · X

The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity https://t.co/GRyMmdM1ne

Oct 8, 2021 · 2,003 followers View post →
Cory Inman
@IM_Inman · X

RT @JoshBrownNeuro: Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our wor…

Nov 29, 2019 · 4 shares · 1,791 followers View post →
Sarah Kark, PhD
@sarah_kark · X

RT @JoshBrownNeuro: Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our wor…

Nov 29, 2019 · 4 shares · 1,067 followers View post →
Keiland Cooper
@kw_cooper · X

RT @JoshBrownNeuro: Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our wor…

Nov 28, 2019 · 4 shares · 850 followers View post →
Sandra Gattas
@gattas_sandra · X

RT @JoshBrownNeuro: Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our wor…

Nov 28, 2019 · 4 shares · 228 followers View post →

All mentions

جمرة الرومي
@Ibn__AlRumi · X

Kini P, Wong J, McInnis S, Gabana N, Brown JW. The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity. NeuroImage. 2016;128:1–10.

May 5, 2025 · 1 followers View post →
落ちこぼれを引きずるパパ
@itamae_naru · X

【神経科学視点でも感謝は自制心が強くなり道徳的になる】 論文読んでて楽しい瞬間は、こんな非日常的な研究をやってくれるところ!!笑  https://t.co/RxCKVC5aQ5

Jul 16, 2024 · 47 followers View post →
OpeningDoorsProject
@Openingthedoor · X

The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity https://t.co/GRyMmdM1ne

Oct 8, 2021 · 2,003 followers View post →
temporaltreasures
@temporaltreasur · X

In a 2016 study, individuals who wrote letters of gratitude reaped psychological benefits for up to 3 months afterward: https://t.co/qZjLOuGwFj #gratitude #letterwriting #selfcare #psychology

Oct 26, 2020 · 3 followers View post →
Cory Inman
@IM_Inman · X

RT @JoshBrownNeuro: Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our wor…

Nov 29, 2019 · 4 shares · 1,791 followers View post →
Sarah Kark, PhD
@sarah_kark · X

RT @JoshBrownNeuro: Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our wor…

Nov 29, 2019 · 4 shares · 1,067 followers View post →
Sandra Gattas
@gattas_sandra · X

RT @JoshBrownNeuro: Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our wor…

Nov 28, 2019 · 4 shares · 228 followers View post →
Keiland Cooper
@kw_cooper · X

RT @JoshBrownNeuro: Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our wor…

Nov 28, 2019 · 4 shares · 850 followers View post →
Joshua Brown
@JoshBrownNeuro · X

Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate you, my collaborators and colleagues. For today's festivities, here is some of our work on neural effects of gratitude, showing lasting effects 3 months after gratitude letter writing. #HappyThanksgiving https://t.co/8kMtA99OSZ https://t.co/BytaMZeclA

Nov 28, 2019 · 12 likes · 4 shares · 895 followers View post →