Researchers Confront an Epidemic of Loneliness
BLACKPOOL, England — The woman on the other end of the phone spoke lightheartedly of spring and of her 81st birthday the previous week. “Who did you celebrate with, Beryl?” asked Alison, whose [...]
New Evidence for the Necessity of Loneliness
A specific set of neurons deep in the brain may motivate us to seek company, holding social species together. As social animals, we depend on others for survival. Our communities provide mutual [...]
Questions for Kay Tye: How loneliness drives social behavior
Most people are wired to seek pleasure in the company of others, but individuals with autism appear to lack this drive. The chemical messenger dopamine may rouse the brain’s reward center [...]
Neuroscientists pinpoint brain cells that represent loneliness
Contact with other humans isn’t just psychologically beneficial: it also provides us with evolutionary advantages. Historically, it was easier to find food and shelter as a group than it [...]
Pinpointing loneliness in the brain
Scientists identify cells that represent feelings of isolation. Humans, like all social animals, have a fundamental need for contact with others. This deeply ingrained instinct helps us to [...]