Research says the health consequences of having no close friends are not metaphorical - the immune system is measurably weaker, the cognitive decline measurably faster, and the recovery from illness measurably slower, which means the body is not waiting for a person to feel lonely before it starts responding to the fact that they are - Silicon Canals

"Research from UCLA found that chronically lonely individuals showed overexpression of genes involved in inflammatory immune responses. In simple terms, the immune systems of isolated people were behaving as though they were under constant attack, producing inflammation that, over time, can contribute to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegeneration."

"A separate series of studies from Ohio State University found that lonelier people had higher levels of reactivated latent viruses in their systems and produced significantly more inflammatory compounds in response to stress."

Friendships are essential for both emotional and physical health. Research indicates that loneliness is treated by the body as a threat, leading to measurable changes at the cellular level. Studies show that chronically lonely individuals exhibit overexpression of genes related to inflammatory immune responses, which can contribute to serious health issues like cardiovascular disease and cancer. Additionally, lonelier individuals have higher levels of reactivated latent viruses and produce more inflammatory compounds when stressed, highlighting the significant health risks associated with social isolation.

Read at Silicon Canals