Brain Health: Socialization

How does socialization keep our brains healthy?

 You've read about how nutrition, sleep, exercise and attitude keep your brain healthy. Now let's look at the last topic in our brain health series, Socialization.

Humans are social beings by nature. We need to have healthy relationships with others in order to thrive. Be it a small circle of close friends and family, or multiple friendship groups, the social interaction we have with others affects our psychological wellbeing and physiological wellbeing.

Why is socialization important for brain health?

Social interaction activates the vagus nerve which connects the brain to the rest of the body. The vagus nerve is involved in mood regulation, stress response, digestion, heart rate and breathing functions. Activation of the vagus nerve reduces our response to stress and reduces the production of compounds that trigger inflammation. Furthermore, activation of the vagus nerve also keeps the gastrointestinal tract healthy and balanced. As we discussed in our previous blog posts, a healthy gut equals a healthy brain too.

Various studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of social isolation and loneliness on the body. These studies revealed that feelings of social isolation and loneliness led to increased inflammation throughout the body and increased neuropathological hallmarks such as neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques in the brain. Furthermore, lower levels of BDNF (a nerve growth factor), poor quality of sleep, reduced cognitive function and increased risk of ischemic stroke were reported in instances of social isolation.

Since humans are social beings, communicating and interacting with others is like exercise for our brains. Whenever we interact and socialize with others, numerous areas of our brain and neurotransmitters are activated to process and decode information, and our neurological pathways are strengthened or rewired. 

But remember, it's the healthy relationships that keep our brains healthy, not the toxic ones🙅

 So send a message, call or meet face-to-face with those whose company you enjoy...you're actually keeping your and your loved one's mind and brain healthy😇!

Let's clarify some terminology:

Neuropathological hallmarks: these are indicators of  neurological disease

Amyloid plaques: a cluster of beta-amyloid proteins that collect between neurons usually in areas of the brain responsible for memory and other important cognitive functions. 

Neurofibrillary tangles: these are accumulated tau proteins that form a thread and tangles inside the neurons. These tangles prevent the supply of nutrients to the neurons, causing the neurons to die. 

BDNF: Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor. A protein molecule that promotes the growth of neurons and is essential for neuroplasticity and cognition.

Ischemic Stroke: the blockage of an artery that leads to the brain by a blood clot.

Vagus Nerve: one of the 12 cranial nerves. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system ( responsible for relaxing the body) that controls various involuntary bodily functions such as digestion, heart rate, breathing, mood etc.