All of the monkeys ran away. But Dr JoJo stayed behind to help remove thorns from the man’s hand. He must have been a surgeon in a past life. 🐒🩺 Compassion is not uniquely human. Across primates and many other species, helping behaviour, empathy, and social bonding are deeply rooted in the brain. Neural circuits involving the anterior cingulate cortex, insula, oxytocin, and mirror neuron systems allow animals to recognise distress and respond with care. In evolutionary terms, kindness is not weakness. It helps groups survive. Sometimes the biggest alpha in the troop is the one who stops to help. 🧠 Neuroscience reminds us that empathy is ancient. 📚 References: • de Waal FBM. The Age of Empathy (2009). • Decety J, Jackson PL. The functional architecture of human empathy. Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev. 2004;3:71-100. • Preston SD, de Waal FBM. Empathy: Its ultimate and proximate bases. Behav Brain Sci. 2002;25:1-72. • Rizzolatti G, Craighero L. The mirror-neuron system. Annu Rev Neurosci. 2004;27:169-192. • Panksepp J, Panksepp JB. Toward a cross-species understanding of empathy. Trends Neurosci. 2013;36:489-496. Video clip via X:aipower.zone96 #MonkeyBusiness #Compassion #Neuroscience #Empathy #Neurosurgeon