“The ‘danger signals’ activated in the brain by loneliness ultimately affect the production of white blood cells. (Credit: iStockphoto)” - Futurity.org

“Scientists know that feeling alone can have a negative effect on health, but now they think they may have uncovered one reason why.

“Loneliness can lead to fight-or-flight stress signaling, which can ultimately affect the production of white blood cells.

“The findings are from a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that examined loneliness in both humans and rhesus macaques, a highly social primate species. The human subjects were participants in the Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study, a longitudinal study that began in 2002 with adults aged 50-68.”

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