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social isolation

This shows a woman eating in a small cell.

·November 18, 2024·4 min read

Confined Spaces Change How We Smell and Experience Food

Researchers found that confined environments, like the International Space Station, alter the way people perceive food aromas, with emotions significantly coloring their responses. Using virtual reality to simulate space conditions, participants reported stronger smells for most aromas, except lemongrass, compared to a microgravity posture.

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·October 22, 2024·4 min read

Loneliness Increases Dementia Risk by 31%

A large meta-analysis of over 600,000 people shows that experiencing loneliness significantly raises the risk of developing dementia by 31%. Researchers found that loneliness is a key factor in cognitive decline, contributing to conditions like Alzheimer's disease, regardless of age or sex.

This shows a man sitting alone on a bench.

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·July 11, 2024·4 min read

Loneliness Worse for Memory Than Social Isolation

A new study finds that loneliness impacts memory more negatively than social isolation among older adults. Those who are both socially isolated and lonely experience the greatest memory decline, but loneliness alone also significantly harms memory.

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·June 8, 2024·4 min read

Pandemic Reveals Unexpected Resilience in Isolated Seniors

Socially connected older adults in England experienced a sharper decline in quality of life and increased loneliness during the pandemic compared to their isolated peers. Researchers analyzed data from 4,636 individuals and found that isolated seniors faced fewer disruptions in their routines, offering them some protection against negative pandemic effects. However, socially isolated adults saw a greater decline in physical activity and financial worries. These findings underscore the complex impact of social connections during crises.

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·May 19, 2024·4 min read

Love Hormone Oxytocin Eases Loneliness

A new study finds that oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone," can reduce acute feelings of loneliness and enhance bonding in group therapy settings for individuals experiencing chronic loneliness. While not a cure-all, oxytocin shows promise as a supportive tool during therapy, potentially helping patients better navigate the initial challenges of addressing their loneliness.

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·April 30, 2024·5 min read

Loneliness Peaks in Youth and Old Age

A new study revealed a U-shaped pattern of loneliness across the lifespan, with higher levels in younger and older adults and the lowest during middle adulthood. The research identified risk factors for loneliness including social isolation, lower education, and physical impairments.

This shows an older man using a cell phone.

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·April 28, 2024·5 min read

Let’s Talk: Web-Based Chats Boost Brain Function in Older Adults

Internet-based conversations can significantly improve cognitive functions in socially isolated older adults. The trial, known as I-CONECT, involved 186 participants aged 75 and older who engaged in structured video chats four times weekly, which helped enhance memory and executive function, particularly among those with mild cognitive impairment.

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·April 4, 2024·6 min read

Loneliness, Food Cravings, and the Brain

A new study reveals the link between loneliness, cravings for high-calorie foods, and unhealthy eating behaviors in women, highlighting a significant brain activity pattern associated with social isolation. The research found that women feeling lonely show increased brain activation in areas related to cravings when exposed to images of sugary foods, alongside decreased self-control towards eating.

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·March 21, 2024·5 min read

Social Isolation Linked to Accelerated Aging

Researchers have uncovered a significant correlation between social isolation and accelerated biological aging, indicating that individuals with limited social connections are at a higher risk of premature mortality. Utilizing AI-enabled electrocardiograms (AI-ECG) to estimate the biological age of over 280,000 adults, the study found that those with robust social networks exhibited smaller age gaps between their biological and chronological ages, reflecting slower biological aging.

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·March 5, 2024·7 min read

Loneliness Linked to Personality Disorders

A systematic review synthesizing data from 70 studies reveals significant insights into the relationship between loneliness, perceived social support (PSS), and personality disorders. The review found that individuals with personality disorder traits or diagnoses, except those with narcissistic traits, experience higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of PSS compared to the general population and other clinical groups.

This shows a lonely woman and an empty plate.

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·February 13, 2024·5 min read

Loneliness Linked to Negative Eating Behaviors

Researchers reveals significant associations between social isolation, loneliness, and detrimental food and eating behaviors, uncovering the intricate relationship between emotional well-being and dietary habits. The study, involving 29 research papers, found consistent evidence that loneliness correlates with poorer diet quality, including lower fruit and vegetable intake and higher consumption of energy-dense-nutrient-poor foods, both during and outside COVID-19 lockdowns.

This shows a woman sitting alone in a dark room.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 24, 2023·3 min read

Hikikomori: New Tool Sheds Light on Social Isolation Phenomenon

Researchers developed the Hikikomori Diagnostic Evaluation (HiDE), a new assessment tool for identifying pathological social withdrawal or hikikomori. This condition, initially identified in Japan, is characterized by extended physical isolation lasting over six months and is increasingly observed worldwide, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.