Social Isolation and the Brain

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of individuals both physically and mentally (Xiong et al., 2020). Safety precautions to reduce the spread of this virus, such as social isolation, have increased the risk of mental illnesses and loneliness (Xiong et al., 2020). The pandemic has already raised anxiety levels in the population, but the restricted guidelines implemented by the government have worsened the psychological effects on individuals. Comforting social interactions are essential needs for humans, just like food and water (Tomova et al., 2020). 

A study conducted by Tomova et al. (2020) observed the effects of social isolation on the brain and whether individuals crave social interactions. Three separate experimental sessions were conducted, consisting of isolation, fasting, and baseline. Highly social young adults between an age range of eighteen to forty years old were isolated for ten hours and then underwent a cue-induced craving paradigm. During this paradigm, participants were shown social cues, which consisted of images of people having fun in a group setting. During the other sessions, participants were shown cues of food and flowers in the baseline session. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was conducted on subjects during these sessions to measure dopaminergic neuron activation in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SN) situated in the midbrain. The cue-induced craving paradigm for the food session had participants fast for ten hours and then were presented with cues displaying images of food. After the cue-induced craving task, participants were required to complete an online questionnaire that asked about their cravings, mood, comfort level, and their liking towards the task. These questionnaires were conducted every two hours during the ten-hour sessions. fMRI scans were conducted immediately after the sessions. Results of this study showed that there was greater activation in the VTA and the SN after the social cues were presented for the session that required participants to socially isolate. These areas were also activated after the cue-induced craving paradigm for food when participants had fasted. It was also seen that participants that were affected by chronic loneliness had reported less craving for social interactions. The study was able to confirm that humans do crave social interactions after being isolated for hours. Humans seem to seek social interactions after acute loneliness in order to repair this lacking sensation. This corresponds to how individuals desire water after being dehydrated for a few hours.

Other studies have also shown similar results, where socially isolated mice had activation of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain, promoting cravings for social interactions. Further studies report that social isolation is correlated with increased reports of cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, and mortality rates (Williams et al., 2021). Interventions can be implemented to reduce these negative side effects of social isolation while adhering to pandemic restrictions. Such interventions include increasing networking with peers using online platforms, as well as increasing time spent with family. Individuals can also perform meditation, participate in programs to enhance cognitive abilities, take part in online discussions, and possibly seek therapy (Williams et al., 2021). It is important for individuals to start taking action by implementing some of the suggestions mentioned here in order to benefit their mental health and well-being.