Published August 11th, 2026
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Altruism could be described as a selfless concern for others’ well-being; which would encompass positive emotions; for example, feelings such as empathy or acts of compassion. Empathy involves a capacity to relate and understand the feelings of others - a “feeling with others”. Compassion involves awareness of another's suffering, with desiring and acting to alleviate it - a “doing for others”. Some would further assert that based on personal beliefs and values, even universal truth, these are moral-attitude emotions that stimulate conscience and feelings of positive well-being. (Thomson, 2012).
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Some experts and researchers note that individual beliefs and consequent choices may result in positive experiences of peace, existential well-being among other benefits, including physiological changes, positive emotions and health outcomes (Koenig, 2009). Recent work has explored neurobiological mechanisms for concepts such as empathy and compassion (NASEM, 2025). 
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Distinct brain regions and neural network involvement include the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insular cortex, nucleus accumbens (NASEM, 2025). These are involved in features such as attention, behavior regulation, emotional awareness, executive functions such as decision-making; active during empathetic experiences and/or facilitate processing of fear, reward and pain mechanisms. 
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Empathy may vary based on psychosocial, environmental, and cultural factors which can be described, coded and integrated into mental health diagnoses to recognize their influence (DSM-V-TR) and to help improve assessment and treatment. Gaining a greater understanding of neurobiological mechanisms may help to identify therapeutic targets for clinical care. Empathy and compassion difficulties have been found to be involved in conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorders, for example. Antipsychotics, Atomoxtine, Bupropion, Clonidine, Imipramine, Lithium, Modafinil, Natural Products, Psychostimulants, SSRIs, Viloxazine, etc. are just a few examples of various medications, medication classes and product classes with potential benefit with some of the afore-mentioned neurobiology and health conditions. Structural and functional features from imaging studies, neurotransmitter dysregulation associated with brain regions, neural networks and mental health conditions may guide pharmacologic discovery and treatment strategies. 
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These concepts perhaps present opportunities for patient-focused care to develop and enhance empathy and compassion - through targeted psychosocial interventions, spiritually-focused care supporting moral-attitude emotions, digital tools, self-care and pharmacotherapy aligned with relevant neurobiology and established treatment guidelines. 
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DM for further discussion and more info...    
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References:

1. DSM-V-TR. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed, Text Revision.

2. Koenig, HG. (2009). Religion and mental health: A review. STH Research Workshop. 

3. (NASEM) National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine. (2025). Unraveling the neurobiology of empathy & compassion: Implications for treatments for brain disorders and human well-being. Workshop Proceedings.

4. Thomson, R. (2012). A Biblical categorization of human emotions. In: The Heart of Man, 2nd Ed