Exploring the physical impacts of a psychological feeling
Globally, 1 in 4 adults and 24% of people over the age of 15 have experienced a constant feeling of loneliness (1). How would you define this word loneliness? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines loneliness as sadness from being alone (2). However, the state of being “lonely” can be classified in many ways: an emotion, a psychological state, or a perception of lacking social connections. This is not to be confused with social isolation, which is defined as being physically isolated from communities; rather, loneliness is the mental belief of being disconnected even when surrounded by people.
Many physical effects are tied to being lonely, but the most consistent is the rise in cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is responsible for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, immune system regulation, and metabolism (3). A set of glands called the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys, release cortisol into the bloodstream.
While some of the mild cases of loneliness include a higher risk of mortality, hypertension (high blood pressure), and a weakened immune system, more extreme cases of loneliness can cause type 2 diabetes, dementia, and coronary artery disease. For type 2 diabetes, one of the primary causes stems from insulin resistance, which starts with metabolism. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that stabilizes blood sugar levels. The cortisol produced by loneliness suppresses the body’s metabolism, whose job is to secrete insulin into the body. The cortisol blocks insulin from being evenly distributed throughout the body, which ultimately leads to type 2 diabetes (4).
Likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and death from loneliness (1).
Dementia is an umbrella term for chronic diseases that interfere with memory and other thinking abilities. Although it is not entirely known why loneliness causes this disease, lonely people are more prone to drink, smoke, and live a sedentary lifestyle (5). Additionally, a lack of socialization decreases cognitive stimulation. All of these factors contribute to the risk of dementia.
Coronary artery disease, also known as CAD, is a cardiovascular disease that involves built-up plaque in the arteries of the heart, which increases the chance of a stroke or heart attack. When cortisol builds up blood pressure and puts stress on the heart, cholesterol and triglyceride levels increase. Both cholesterol and triglycerides are fats that stick to the walls of the heart arteries, which are vital for blood flow. The blockage of fats in the arteries combined with high blood pressure makes the heart susceptible to a stroke or even a rupture in the artery walls (6).
These diseases are evidence of the physical side effects of loneliness. There is no ‘cure’ for being lonely, but one of the simplest ways to start combating loneliness is to engage in hobbies such as drawing or playing an instrument. Hobbies help reduce stress by controlling the body’s stress response, lowering blood pressure, and slowing down the heart (7). As a result, cortisol levels are lowered, and maybe the levels of loneliness are too.
Bibliography:
- Nicioli, Taylor. (2023, October 24) The loneliness epidemic: Nearly 1 in 4 adults feel lonely, new survey finds. Retrieved from: https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/24/health/lonely-adults-gallup-poll-wellness/index.html#:~:text=If%20you%20feel%20lonely%2C%20you,Meta%2DGallup%20survey%20has%20found
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.) Definition of Lonely. Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lonely
- Cleveland Clinic. (2021, November 12) Cortisol. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol
- Henriksen, Roger. Nilson, Roy. Strandberg, Ragnhild. (2023, January) Loneliness increases the risk of type 2 diabetes: a 20 year follow-up- results from the HUNT study. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36168066/
- Alzheimer’s Society. (2024, August) Social isolation and dementia risk. Retrieved from: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/managing-the-risk-of-dementia/reduce-your-risk-of-dementia/social-isolation
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.) Coronary artery disease. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350613
- National Library of Medicine. (n.d.) Association of Enjoyable Leisure Activities with Psychological and Physical Well-being. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2863117/
Images:
- Braren, Stephen. (2024, July 27) Social Connectedness 101: Social Connection and Physical Health. Retrieved from: https://www.thesocialcreatures.org/thecreaturetimes/social-connection-physical-health