10/14/2026
“The effects of loneliness are never “merely” emotional. Loneliness becomes like yeast in bread; it begins to negatively influence everything from social aspiration to overall health decisions such as diet and exercise. We also know that not only do “we” (as a self) experience loneliness as something more than temporary emotional distress, but so do our brains. In fact, it seems our brains cannot and, therefore, do not, distinguish between loneliness and acute physical pain.
When socially excluded (lonely) test subjects were observed with fMRI technology, they displayed activation in precisely the same region of the brain as other test subjects exhibit when they are in acute physical pain. Our brains know something essential about both states—about physical pain and about loneliness—that both can threaten death. Both hurt accordingly. So what is it our souls need to be healthy and fully alive?”
Take a dive into some of our human formation resources with this article on belonging and how God made us for more.
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