The Science of Schadenfreude: Why We Enjoy Others' Misfortunes.

Schadenfreude, the emotion of deriving pleasure from others' misfortunes, is a complex emotion shaped by intricate neural processes. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the ventral striatum, areas of the brain involved in reward processing and empathy, show increased activity during instances of schadenfreude. The experience of schadenfreude is intertwined with feelings of envy, suggesting complex social emotions at play. Understanding the neuroscience of schadenfreude can offer novel insights into social cognitive disorders and broaden our understanding of the social nature of our brains.