Loneliness Alters Brain Function and Perception, Study Finds

A study conducted by the University of California found that lonely people process information and perceive the world differently compared to nonlonely individuals. Neuroimaging tests were conducted on 66 young adults, and the results showed significant differences in brain activity between lonely and nonlonely participants. Interestingly, the study also revealed that lonely individuals had unique brain responses, indicating that loneliness is experienced in an idiosyncratic way. The findings suggest that being surrounded by people who see the world differently may contribute to feelings of loneliness, even in the presence of social interactions.