A new UK study has found that people with large groups of friends also have a higher pain tolerance.
The study, by a team of researchers from Oxford University, focused their research on the brain chemical endorphin.
Responsible for the europhic "runner's high" after exercise, a rush of endorphins not only makes us feel good but also acts as a pain reliever even stronger than morphine.
Previous studies have also suggested that endorphins can help build social bonds, with Katerina Johnson, one of the study's authors, explaining that it could be endorphins that give us "the feel-good factor" when we see our friends.
To test the theory, the team used the known pain-relieving effect of endorphins and participant's tolerance to pain as a way of measuring endorphin activity in the brain. If endorphins really did help these social bonds, then those with more friends would also have a higher pain threshold.
The team recruited 101 healthy young adults aged 18 to 34 and asked them to complete a questionnaire on their social networks. They were asked about friends who they contacted at least once a week, and those who they contacted less frequently, around once a month.
Pain tolerance was then assessed using the wall sit test. Participants had to squat with a straight back against a wall with knees at a 90° angle and hold the pose – and endure the discomfort – for as long as possible.
The team found that those with larger social networks had a higher threshold to pain.
Researchers also found that participants who were fitter and had higher reported stress levels tended to have smaller social networks, which Johnson believes could be down to time – a busy, stressful lifestyle or time spent exercising can mean less time for friends.
The team suggested that instead of focusing only on exercise to treat illnesses such as depression, advice should also be given on how to strengthen and expand social circles for an endorphin boost.
Johnson also commented that as our social relationships can affect both physical and mental health, understanding social networks better is an important research topic.
"Sociality is clearly of adaptive value to our species," said Johnson, "yet in this digital era deficiencies in our social interactions may be one of the overlooked factors contributing to the declining health of our modern society."
The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Mon May 02 2016
![The feel-good factor of friendship can also relieve pain: Study The feel-good factor of friendship can also relieve pain: Study](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/81462172658_FriendshipGeneric.jpg)
The study reveals that those with more friends have a higher pain threshold.
10 Berita Pilihan - (15 Ogos 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Pasukan PBB lawat Bangladesh, siasat pembunuhan protes pelajar
Pasukan penyiasat Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) akan melawat Bangladesh minggu depan untuk menyiasat ratusan kematian semasa protes yang diketuai pelajar baru-baru ini, menurut pegawai badan dunia itu pada Khamis.
Gempa bumi bermagnitud 5.7 gegar timur laut Taiwan
Gempa bumi berukuran 5.7 skala richter melanda daerah Timur Laut Taiwan pada Khamis.
Angka kematian di Gaza cecah 40,000 individu
Pasukan tentera Israel melakukan tiga pembunuhan beramai-ramai terhadap keluarga-keluarga di Semenanjung Gaza dalam tempoh 24 jam lepas, mengakibatkan sekurang-kurangnya 40 rakyat Palestin terbunuh dan 107 lagi cedera, menurut sumber perubatan.
Jepun tamatkan amaran gempa bumi mega
Dalam tempoh berjaga-jaga, Agensi Meteorologi Jepun tidak melihat sebarang pergerakan gempa bumi yang luar biasa atau kerak bumi.
Rakyat UK terancam dengan imigran rampas peluang pekerjaan
Bimbang golongan imigran akan merampas peluang peluang pekerjaan menjadikan rakyat United KIngdom terutamanya mereka yang mempunyai masalah ekonomi melihat imigran sebagai satu ancaman.
Parti Pheu Thai pilih anak perempuan Thaksin calon PM
Paetongtarn, 37, adalah anak perempuan kepada jutawan yang juga bekas Perdana Menteri Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Pemilihan anak Thaksin sebagai PM Thailand dianggap tidak efektif
Pemilihan anak perempuan bekas Perdana Menteri Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, untuk menggantikan Srettha Thavisin sebagai Perdana Menteri negara itu dianggap sebagai tidak efektif.
![Angka kematian di seluruh Semenanjung Gaza meningkat kepada 40,005, lebih 92,401 cedera Angka kematian di seluruh Semenanjung Gaza meningkat kepada 40,005, lebih 92,401 cedera](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723343252_Palestiniansmourn.jpg)
Angka kematian di seluruh Semenanjung Gaza meningkat kepada 40,005, lebih 92,401 cedera
Perkhidmatan kecemasan masih tidak dapat membantu ramai mangsa dan membawa keluar mayat yang terperangkap di bawah runtuhan.
DNA mangsa kebakaran di Pagoh diperoleh, jenazah dijangka dikebumikan esok
Polis mengesahkan telah menerima laporan ujian asid deoksiribonukleik (DNA) dua mayat mangsa yang rentung dalam kebakaran rumah di Kampung Paya Redan, Pagoh, Johor Jumaat lepas.