I taught rats to drive. They taught me to enjoy the ride | Kelly Lambert

Kelly Lambert, a behavioral neuroscientist, discusses her research on joy and anticipation, initially sparked by observing joyful behavior in lab rats. Her work evolved from studying negative emotions and depression to exploring how positive emotions impact the brain. Lambert's experiments include teaching rats to drive tiny cars and observing their anticipation of rewards, revealing that the brain interprets the reward and the anticipation similarly. She introduces the concept of "behavior pseudicals," intentional behavioral changes to alter neurochemistry, supported by experiments where rats worked for Froot Loops, showing enhanced emotional resilience. This research extends to human behavior, referencing studies on the positive impact of hope and anticipation on health, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation's effect on children's well-being.