"What does it really mean to be wired for connection? In the ancient world, our ancestors faced tremendous challenges, including food scarcity and predators hunting them. Survival was challenging, but humans work together in groups very well. So, when it came to survival of the fittest, the most social humans were the fittest. As a result, our brains have built-in social reward systems."
"That means when we connect with others, our brains send powerful signals involving neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, which make us feel good and want to continue socializing. This was the glue that kept us together millennia ago and, therefore, kept us alive. Our brains still have these systems, which means we have a lot to gain from socializing. This is what it means to be wired for connection. Our brains literally reward us for being around each other."
Loneliness is widespread and harms individuals and society. Virtual interactions often fail to replace in-person contact. Human evolution favored social cooperation, so brains developed built-in reward systems that reinforce social behavior. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin signal reward during connection and promote continued socializing. Those neurochemical rewards historically increased group survival and remain active today, so social contact provides measurable benefits for wellbeing. Understanding the neuroscience of social interaction clarifies why isolation is harmful and why fostering real-world social ties matters for mental and physical health.
Read at Fast Company
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