Loneliness can be depressing, but it may have helped humans survive

Re:Loneliness can be depressing, but it may have helped huma... by sridca on Monday September 05, 2016 @07:01PM (#12432670)

It is well known that stress (which doesn't necessitate hating people; in fact, merely feeling lonely will do) weakens immune system.

http://www.apa.org/research/action/immune.aspx

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Re:Loneliness can be depressing, but it may have helped huma... by maga on Monday September 05, 2016 @07:22PM (#12432749)

That's that, but I'd imagine that "feeling physical pain seeing others enjoying themselves" is something far more serious than just loneliness, maybe I misunderstand the term.

You rise a valid point though, while often being objectively lonely and "disconnected" I seldom felt discomfort about it. That would explain good health marks.

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Re:Loneliness can be depressing, but it may have helped huma... by sridca on Monday September 05, 2016 @07:28PM (#12432772)

I took his "feel physical pain in your intestines and chest" to mean, in part, that "sinking feeling in the gut" which is due mainly to the stimulation of the Vagus Nerve[1].

These physical sensations follow the emotion (of loneliness) itself--an affective experience preceding, and triggering, the physical after-effects--which PieterH did not speak much about. I wonder why.

[1] See https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bakbc/e...

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Re:Loneliness can be depressing, but it may have helped huma... by 888uuii on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @08:40PM (#12440267)

raises hand

I don't feel loneliness in my gut; I feel it in my head.

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