Social: Post #3--Social Pain

Social Pain: As mammal infants, when babies are separated from parents (especially their mothers) and need things, they cry. That cry stimulates mothers’ social brains to care for them and meet their needs. When we hear of someone with a “broken heart,” it turns out that the pain they experience is real. Being left out of a game as a kid, bullied, or snubbed as an adult leads to social pain. Moreover, social pain and physical pain register in the exact same part of the brain. In fact, Tylenol (acetaminophen) can reduce significant social or physical pain. One study showed that 1,000 mg a day can ease social pain in just 9 days.