How loneliness affects the body

Aristotle spoke of the fact that man is a social animal. Psychologists consider this property to be the reason for the success of our species. However, there is also a negative side to the constant need in society: isolation and loneliness harm us. Genetic scientist Steve Cole spoke about exactly how loneliness harms the body.

Being alone and feeling lonely are not the same thing at all. Loneliness is the feeling that we have fewer meaningful social connections than we would like. Of course, everything is individual. For someone, for a comfortable existence, it is enough to have one close person, for others, ten is not enough. However, scientists note that lately more and more people feel lonely Perceived social isolation, evolutionary fitness and health outcomes: a lifespan approach. …

Loneliness is a unique predictor of age-related differences in systolic blood pressure. and Women, Loneliness, and Incident Coronary Heart Disease. … It turns out that loneliness breaks our hearts in a completely literal sense of the word.

In addition, a 2015 meta-analysis of 70 studies found that loneliness increased the risk of death by 26%. Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality. … And, for example, depression and anxiety disorder only increase the risk of death by 21%. Association between psychological distress and mortality.

Loneliness is much more than heartache. It is a biological wound that causes the destruction of cells in the body.

Steve Cole

How loneliness is reflected at the cellular level

In 2007, Cole, along with other scientists from the University of California, made an interesting discovery. It turned out that the cells of those who suffer from chronic loneliness look different. Scientists have noticed two major genetic differences between lonely and non-lonely people.

In lonely people, the genes responsible for the body's inflammatory response are much more active. And this is pretty dangerous. Yes, inflammation is necessary for the body to cope with the trauma. But if inflammation occurs constantly, it creates an excellent environment for the development of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and metastatic cancer. “This is one of the reasons why single people are more susceptible to these diseases,” says Cole.
At the same time, the activity of a group of genes responsible for the fight against viral infections is suppressed. These genes are responsible for the production of special proteins - interferons of the first type, which prevent the multiplication of viruses in the body.

Increasing the inflammatory response during stress makes perfect sense. But why doesn't the body want to fight viruses?

According to Cole, this is a biological trade-off. The body usually fights bacteria through inflammation. But the typical response to viruses creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, the body makes a choice which of the two reactions to activate.

Overall, Cole believes that the response to chronic loneliness is not very different from the response to other sources of chronic stress, such as low socioeconomic status or PTSD.

Cole's findings, supported by other researchers Loneliness, eudaimonia, and the human conserved transcriptional response to adversity. indicate that lonely people are more prone to chronic illness and less likely to cope with illness. This, in part, explains the increased mortality among the single.

Of course, this is not the only reason. Naturally, life is easier when there is someone who can take you to the doctor or support you in a difficult situation.

Loneliness is a vicious circle. The more isolated we feel, the more we feel threatened. And the more it seems to us that something is threatening us, the more we strive for isolation.

How to prevent the effects of loneliness

Some studies have shown that cellular symptoms improve when feelings of loneliness go away. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training reduces loneliness and pro-inflammatory gene expression in older adults. … However, Cole believes that there is still insufficient evidence that trying to make a person less lonely actually helps.

Attempts to return the meaning of life to people are more effective. For example, a Los Angeles-based charity brings together single seniors and elementary school students. Seniors help and supervise schoolchildren with their lessons, which gives them a purpose and helps them feel healthier.

Of course, the body needs stress from time to time. And loneliness is necessary for us. Periods of loneliness during life are completely natural.

But, according to Cole, loneliness is now turning into an epidemic that must be fought. Indeed, it is even more dangerous for health than anxiety and depression, which we usually fear.