"All humans share the need for a close social connection. We suffer in its absence and thrive when socially fulfilled. The cravings for social intimacy are as powerful and compelling as those for food or sex. Scientists understand the neural mechanisms of food and sex cravings. A recent study investigated the neural mechanisms that underlie the satisfaction associated with fulfilling the need for social connection. Essentially, our drive for social intimacy is induced by the same brain inflammation that underlies our depression and sickness."
"Obviously, trusted others can also provide comfort and care to help with recovery and survival. Inflammation, especially when it is present in the brain, is now recognized as having a direct causal link to depression and decreases in positive affect. Recent studies have identified one particular biomarker of inflammation, interleukin-6 (IL-6), as predictive of seeking out a social connection toward close friends and relatives."
The brain evolved to enhance survival, particularly during illness, by inducing cravings for social intimacy with close others. Inflammation in the brain causes depressive symptoms and reduced positive affect. Elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) is associated with illness and depression and predicts increased desire to approach close friends and relatives. Seeking proximity to trusted others offers evolutionary advantages by providing comfort, care, and supportive interactions that aid recovery. Frequent positive social interactions and time spent with close others are linked to lower blood IL-6 levels and reduced subjective illness feelings.
Read at Psychology Today
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]