Summary

A study from the IMT School for Advanced Studies in Italy suggests that prolonged self-control can lead to mental exhaustion, resulting in more aggressive behavior.

Researchers found that participants asked to restrain their emotions during 45-minute tasks showed increased delta brain wave activity, associated with sleep, in areas related to impulse control.

In subsequent games, only 41% of these participants chose cooperative actions, compared to 86% of those who didn’t exert self-control.

However, some experts urge caution, citing the study’s modest behavioral effects and the controversy surrounding “ego depletion” theory.