Below are some quotes and links to a Washington Post article on a National Academy of Science study that shows that high activity in a region of the brain a few inches behind the bridge of the nose may effect why some people have a negative view of life, and also whether they are more or less likely to be risk takers. The article further states that this could lead to better treatments of both psychiatric medicines and psychological therapy. Current treatments for these emotional disorders may work by affecting these same brain areas. Does anyone have any knowledge of any studies which indicate whether empathogenic drugs such as MDMA or other psychedelics particularly affect the ventromedial prefrontal cortex of brain?
From the article: "There's at least one component of the biology of temperament in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex," said José V. Pardo, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota and one of the researchers who conducted the study. "In a practical sense, what we know is a person with higher activity in this area can be predicted to have a high level of negative affect," Pardo said. "High levels of negative affect have been shown to have a high risk of depression and anxiety. This may begin to tie aspects of temperament to disease."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60658-2002Feb11.html
Graphic view of the area in the brain:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/health/daily/graphics/brain_021202.html