The Emory University neuroscientists James Rilling and Gregory Berns found that helping people in need stimulates the same brain region as winning a prize or eating a delicious meal. We also know that depressed (and formerly depressed) people are more likely to see the world from others points of view and to experience compassion; conversely, high-empathy people are more likely than others to enjoy sad music.

Bittersweet by Susan Cain