25/11/2015
Loneliness has been identified as more than just the desire to be around other people. It is also said to have grave health consequences, with a large amount of premature deaths attributable to the consequences of life lived alone.
According to a new study from the University of Chicago and the University of California has corroborated previous evidence which suggests that loneliness cuts life-expectancy by 14% on average as they have lower levels of disease-fighting white blood cells in their body.
The report is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Lead author of the study and psychologist, John Cacioppo wrote: “Perceived social isolation (PSI) (loneliness in humans) is a risk factor for chronic illness and all-cause mortality, but the molecular mechanisms of its health effects remain poorly understood.
“In humans, PSI involves an implicit hypervigilance for social threat.”
Researchers discovered that feelings of loneliness appeared to necessitate a ‘fight or flight’ reaction, though reactions were found to be dependent on several different aspects, including: stress and depression and social support. The build up of the stress chemical cortisol has long been known to have a health impact, and the link between stress and loneliness has been established.
The risks associated with social isolation loneliness are well known, but the effects that loneliness can have the body had not been understood until now.
People who are lonely or living in solitude have an increased level of activity in all of the genes which create inflammation in the body. This leads to people who experience loneliness having a decreased immune response and more gene inflammation, making them more prone to illness than people who are socially connected.
Researchers were quick to point out that loneliness was definitely the culprit for the shortening of life.
"These results were specific to loneliness and could not be explained by depression, stress or social support,” they said.
Scientists also studied the effects on rhesus monkeys, which were shown to be similar to human results. Similar raised levels of the ‘fight ot flight’ neurotransmitter norepinephrine which puts the body into a state of perpetual readiness for high risk situations were recorded in the humans and monkeys.
One theory to explain this is that in evolutionary terms, primates which are separated from a group are less safe and require more awareness. In modern life this raised awareness translates to stress and bodily degradation.
Researchers added: "Both lonely humans and lonely monkeys exhibited higher levels of monocytes in their blood.
"The 'danger signals' activated in the brain by loneliness ultimately affect the production of white blood cells.
"The resulting shift in monocyte output may both propagate loneliness and contribute to its associated health risks."
Written By:
Daniel James
