“Based on all of those [brain imaging studies], we suggested there is a neurocircuitry of wisdom,” said Jeste. The circuit involves different parts of the prefrontal cortex (which controls our higher functions), the anterior cingulate (which mediates conflicts between parts of the prefrontal cortex), and the striatum with amygdala (part of the reward circuitry). Wisdom, says Jeste, comes from a balance of activity in these regions. “In some way, wisdom is balance. If you are very prosocial, you give everything to other people, you won’t survive. But of course, if you don’t give anything to
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