Loneliness is a feeling everyone has at some point in life. In the brain, it may activate some of the same areas that are associated with physical pain. It can come from many things, including being cut off from others, losing a loved one, or feeling disconnected even in a crowded room. In recent years, researchers have been studying the neuroscience of loneliness to learn how it affects the brain and the body.
The Neuroscience of Loneliness
When you feel lonely, your brain may activate some of the same regions that are associated with physical pain. Social pain and physical pain appear to rely on some of the same brain areas, such as the anterior cingulate cortex (Eisenberger et al., 2003; Eisenberger, 2012).
Loneliness can also have long-term effects on the brain. For example, chronic (long-lasting) loneliness can decrease gray matter in the prefrontal cortex. Gray matter is the brain tissue made up mostly of nerve cell bodies. The prefrontal cortex, at the front of the brain, is linked to decision-making and social behavior. Chronic loneliness can also lead to more activity in the amygdala. This small brain area is linked to how we process negative emotions.
The Physical Effects of Loneliness
Loneliness can affect the body, too. It is associated with various health problems, including an increased risk of heart disease, depressive symptoms, and premature death (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015; Valtorta et al., 2016; Cacioppo et al., 2010). These health risks arise because loneliness can lead to chronic stress, weakening the immune system, the body’s defense against illness, and increasing inflammation in the body.
Coping with Loneliness
Loneliness can be hard to cope with, but there are ways to manage it. For example, social support can be a powerful way to ease feelings of loneliness. It can come from many places, including friends, family, and online communities. Other strategies include mindfulness practices, exercise, and volunteering.
The Evolutionary Purpose of Loneliness
Loneliness has evolved as a protective mechanism for humans. When our ancestors lived in small groups, being isolated from the group could be dangerous, as it increased the risk of predation and decreased the chances of finding food or a mate. Therefore, feeling lonely could be seen as a signal to the brain that something was wrong and that action needed to be taken to reconnect with the group.
The Role of Social Media in Loneliness
Today, social media has become many people’s main source of social connection. However, research has shown that heavy social media use can lead to loneliness and social isolation. This is because social media can create a false sense of connection without the same level of emotional closeness and social support found in face-to-face contact.
The Connection between Loneliness and Mental Health
Loneliness is closely linked to mental health, particularly depression and anxiety. Research has shown that lonely people are more likely to develop symptoms of depression (Cacioppo et al., 2010). This is because loneliness can lead to negative thoughts and feelings, which can be hard to manage without social support.
Loneliness in the Workplace
Loneliness can also be a significant problem at work, particularly for remote workers and people who work from home. Without the social connections of an office, remote workers may struggle to build relationships with coworkers and may feel isolated. This can lead to lower productivity and lower overall job satisfaction.
Strategies for Coping with Loneliness
Beyond social support, mindfulness, exercise, and volunteering, there are other ways to cope with loneliness. You can take up hobbies and activities that bring you joy. You can practice self-compassion, which means giving yourself the same kindness you would give a friend. And you can seek professional help if needed. Feeling lonely is a normal human experience, and many strategies can help you manage the feeling and improve your overall well-being.
Conclusion
Loneliness is a complex feeling with many effects on the body and mind. Understanding the neuroscience of loneliness helps us see how it affects the brain and body. That knowledge can help us find effective ways to cope with loneliness and improve our overall well-being.
References
- Eisenberger, N. I., Lieberman, M. D., & Williams, K. D. (2003). Does rejection hurt? An fMRI study of social exclusion. Science, 302(5643), 290-292. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1089134
- Eisenberger, N. I. (2012). The pain of social disconnection: Examining the shared neural underpinnings of physical and social pain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(6), 421-434. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3231
- Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227-237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352
- Valtorta, N. K., Kanaan, M., Gilbody, S., Ronzi, S., & Hanratty, B. (2016). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke: Systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational studies. Heart, 102(13), 1009-1016. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308790
- Cacioppo, J. T., Hawkley, L. C., & Thisted, R. A. (2010). Perceived social isolation makes me sad: 5-year cross-lagged analyses of loneliness and depressive symptomatology in the Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study. Psychology and Aging, 25(2), 453-463. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017216
