The brain works differently from single people, researchers found – BBC

Eight years ago, scientists sank loneliness and useless work the human immune system. Moreover, researchers have found , that loneliness can cause more intense spread of cancer throughout the body and lead to the formation of more dangerous forms of cancer. Single people, however, from that in the world have not diminished.

Of course, the scientists did not stop and continued to explore the phenomenon of loneliness. Especially noting the spouses John and Stephanie Kachioppo working at the University of Chicago and to pay special attention to how loneliness affects a person. And they were able to learn many new things.

In particular, it turned out that single people differently the brain works.

It is about that the electrical activity of the brain faster than single people. In addition, it was found that the brains of lonely people are much more sensitive to a variety of negative events. Scientists believe that this means that single people are constantly protect themselves from various threats of a social nature. It happens on a subconscious level.

«This means that if I feel lonely, my brain is already in this state. And I’m starting to gravitate to further isolation, “- said John Kachioppo, noting that it is necessary with this desire to fight, otherwise there is a risk of falling into a real depression.

The article spouses, published in July in the journal Cortex, also explains the difference between the brain of lonely people. In the experiment, the results of which it was written, was attended by 70 people, 32 of them were single. Scientists were tested EEG at the time when people took the test Stroop, based on differences in the visual and logical perception of color.

During the test, the participants of the experiment showed colorful words and asked to name the color word, rather than their value. This test showed the word with social and non-social connotations, differ only in a positive or negative context.

Subsequently, researchers conducted another study in which lonely and not just people showed longer words and drawings. With self study can be found in the magazine Cognitive Neuroscience . According to the results of both surveys Kachioppo wife came to the conclusion that the brain works differently from single people.

«Loneliness causes your brain to be hyper-vigilance, and activate the mechanisms of” saving in itself. ” Therefore, if you feel that you are alone, try to reconsider their behavior and attitude to people “, – said John Kachioppo.

According to the researcher, there are four ways to deal with loneliness. Firstly, it is necessary to begin to communicate with people. And I live – communication on the Internet does not help. John advises Kachioppo accept any invitations and communicate with people on every possible occasion. Secondly, the researcher recommends that a plan of social activity: to take the diary and plan where you can go in the coming days. Third, the scientists propose to spend more time with people who interest you. And we can talk not only about the mutual sympathy, but also the same interests and musical tastes. Finally, it is easy to think less about the poor.