The quest for human connection has been hailed as a panacea for our increasingly isolated society. According to neuroscientist Ben Rein, socialising is not only good for us but might even increase our lifespan. In his latest book, "Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection," Rein delves into the intricate workings of our brains and how social interaction affects our well-being.
Rein's research reveals that isolation has a devastating impact on our health, with mice studies showing that lonely creatures are more susceptible to strokes and have poorer recovery rates. For humans, the consequences are equally dire, with weaker social relationships linked to a 50% increased risk of mortality over seven and a half years. This alarming statistic underscores the critical role social interaction plays in maintaining our physical and mental health.
So, how does socialising work its magic? Rein attributes it to the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "cuddle hormone." Oxytocin promotes feelings of warmth, trust, and relaxation, suppressing stress responses and promoting wound healing. When we interact with others, our brains experience a surge in oxytocin levels, which has been shown to decrease cortisol levels, cardiovascular risks, and even improve cancer survival rates.
However, Rein notes that our brains have an inherent social anxiety component, which can lead us to underestimate the benefits of socialising and overestimate the costs. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "liking gap." To overcome this, he recommends upgrading our interactions by opting for more social options, such as video calls or in-person meetings instead of texting.
While Rein acknowledges that there's no one-size-fits-all prescription for socialising, he argues that everyone benefits from some level of social interaction. He also highlights the interplay between selfish and selfless impulses in the neuroscience of connection, where we're individually incentivised by neurochemical rewards to act socially or altruistically.
Ultimately, Rein hopes his book will provide an individual incentive to look outward and engage with others. By promoting a culture of kindness, empathy, and positive connections, he believes we can create a more compassionate society that benefits not just our own well-being but also the world at large.
Rein's research reveals that isolation has a devastating impact on our health, with mice studies showing that lonely creatures are more susceptible to strokes and have poorer recovery rates. For humans, the consequences are equally dire, with weaker social relationships linked to a 50% increased risk of mortality over seven and a half years. This alarming statistic underscores the critical role social interaction plays in maintaining our physical and mental health.
So, how does socialising work its magic? Rein attributes it to the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "cuddle hormone." Oxytocin promotes feelings of warmth, trust, and relaxation, suppressing stress responses and promoting wound healing. When we interact with others, our brains experience a surge in oxytocin levels, which has been shown to decrease cortisol levels, cardiovascular risks, and even improve cancer survival rates.
However, Rein notes that our brains have an inherent social anxiety component, which can lead us to underestimate the benefits of socialising and overestimate the costs. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "liking gap." To overcome this, he recommends upgrading our interactions by opting for more social options, such as video calls or in-person meetings instead of texting.
While Rein acknowledges that there's no one-size-fits-all prescription for socialising, he argues that everyone benefits from some level of social interaction. He also highlights the interplay between selfish and selfless impulses in the neuroscience of connection, where we're individually incentivised by neurochemical rewards to act socially or altruistically.
Ultimately, Rein hopes his book will provide an individual incentive to look outward and engage with others. By promoting a culture of kindness, empathy, and positive connections, he believes we can create a more compassionate society that benefits not just our own well-being but also the world at large.
like what if we all made it a point to meet up with friends or family more often? could lead to some amazing changes in society 
would love to see some cities implementing community programs that encourage people to get out and socialize more 
So they're saying socializing is like a magic pill for our brains now? I'm not buying it without some credible sources to back this up. What's with all these "study" findings on mice and humans that show isolation leads to strokes and mortality? Where are those studies from reputable institutions? And what's the sample size? 
This oxytocin thing sounds too good (and bad?) to be true... How can we trust the science behind this when it comes with so much emotional baggage about social anxiety and liking gaps? 
! I mean, it makes sense, right? When you're around people who care about you, your brain gets all those happy feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine pumping out 
. It's like a natural high-five for your mental health! 
But what's wild is that our brains are actually wired to benefit from social interaction even when we don't realize it - it's like, we're designed to connect with others, but sometimes we get caught up in our own drama and forget that 
. Anyway, I'm definitely gonna give Ben Rein's book a read, I need more of this positivity in my life 
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. I mean, think about it, back in my grandparents' time, they used to have these super strong community bonds. Neighbors would look out for each other, and everyone knew each other's names. Nowadays, it feels like we're all just stuck in our own little worlds 
. I'm not saying it's all bad, but there's something to be said for having a sense of belonging. I remember when I was younger, my friends and I would always plan these epic sleepovers, and it was just the best time 
.
socialising might be literally the key to living longer 
its crazy how oxytocin can change our brain chemistry so much 
I mean, who knew being social could lower cortisol levels and improve cancer survival rates? 
interesting that scientists are now studying how we can overcome our own anxiety to get more out of social interactions 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, technology has its benefits, but there's just something to be said for in-person connections, you know? The way we can read each other's body language and share a laugh without needing an internet connection 
. We should all try to be more considerate of others and create a society that's supportive and understanding 
.
! think about it, when was the last time you actually had face-to-face convo? 
. And then there's this thing called oxytocin that's supposed to be like the magic hormone or whatever 
I wonder if it's true what Ben Rein says about us being social anxious sometimes though 
. like, sure oxytocin is cool and all 
. and have you seen the state of the internet? it's like everyone's just shouting at each other online instead of actually connecting with people 
what if we focused on building meaningful relationships in our own communities rather than trying to artificially boost our oxytocin levels through shallow interactions? 
, and oxytocin is literally the hormone that makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside 
. But for real, socialising is key to creating a more compassionate society