In this episode of Dharma Lab, Richie Davidson and Cortland Dahl dive into one of the most startling findings in modern science: that loneliness and social disconnection can be as harmful to our health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day.

They explore what makes loneliness so toxic—not just for our mental well-being, but for our physical health—and how ancient contemplative wisdom and modern neuroscience converge on the same insight: connection is medicine.

From the biology of stress and resilience to simple daily practices that nurture kindness and belonging, this conversation reveals how small shifts in awareness can rewire the brain for connection—and why doing so may be one of the most important things we can do for ourselves and our world. Podcast chapter list below.

In case you missed it, check out a written contextual summary of this podcast here:

Podcast Chapter List

0:00 – Intro: Why loneliness matters more than we realize1:20 – How common is loneliness today?3:00 – The Surgeon General’s warning on social disconnection5:15 – Mind–body divide: why medicine overlooks relationships7:30 – The 2015 meta-analysis: where the “15 cigarettes a day” claim comes from10:35 – Loneliness vs. obesity and other health risks12:10 – How loneliness gets “under the skin”: stress, resilience, and recovery14:15 – Can we actually train connection?16:20 – Kindness and compassion as skills18:30 – How ancient contemplative practices expand our circle of care20:45 – What happens in the brain after just two weeks of practice22:40 – Everyday connection moments: examples from daily life26:20 – Practicing connection in ordinary settings (like airports!)28:50 – The perception of loneliness vs. actual isolation30:30 – Science on subjective vs. objective measures of connection32:40 – Why social connection is a public health imperative34:15 – Final reflections: small practices, big impact

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