The Gray Area with Sean Illing

The loneliness epidemic

Oct 10, 2019

01:21:39

Snipd AI

Former US surgeon general Vivek Murthy joins Sean Illing to discuss the loneliness epidemic, highlighting its profound impact on public health. They explore the physical and emotional effects of loneliness, the role of social connection, and the distinction between loneliness and solitude. The podcast also delves into the illusion of loneliness perpetuated by social media and explores the variation of loneliness across cultures. The guest shares impactful book recommendations and offers comfort to those who feel lonely.

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Quick takeaways

Loneliness is a public health epidemic, with a mortality risk higher than obesity and equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Loneliness is a deeply personal and subjective experience that can have adverse effects on physical and mental health.

Loneliness is influenced by the quality, rather than the quantity, of social connections, and cultural factors play a role in how individuals perceive and express their loneliness.

Deep dives

Loneliness and its Impact on Physical and Mental Health

Loneliness is a widespread issue, affecting a significant portion of the population. Studies indicate that around 22% of adults in the United States often or always feel lonely. Loneliness is not just a psychological state, but it also has adverse effects on physical health. When we experience loneliness, our bodies go into a stress response, releasing hormones like cortisol and activating our fight-or-flight response. Prolonged loneliness can lead to chronic inflammation, immune system dysregulation, and disrupted sleep patterns. It's crucial to understand that loneliness is not simply a lack of social connections. It's a perception of being isolated and not feeling seen or understood by others.

Introduction

4min

Loneliness: A Hidden Epidemic

10min

Loneliness as a Public Health Epidemic

27min

The Illusion of Loneliness and Sponsored Content

3min

Gambling Helplines, Responsible Gambling, Shopify, and Bombas Socks

3min

Loneliness Across Cultures

33min

Book Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

3min

As US surgeon general from 2014 to 2017, Vivek Murthy visited communities across the United States to talk about issues like addiction, obesity, and mental illness. But he found that what Americans wanted to talk to him about the most was loneliness.

Loneliness isn’t simply painful, it’s lethal. Several meta-studies have found the mortality risk associated with loneliness is higher than that of obesity and equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day. So, Murthy decided to label loneliness a public health “epidemic,” a term that medical professionals don’t throw around lightly.

Murthy’s advocacy has changed the national discourse around loneliness. However, this isn’t a conversation simply about loneliness as a public health problem: It is about loneliness as a deeply painful lived experience — one that both Murthy and I are all too familiar with.

There’s a lot in this conversation. Murthy’s explanation of how loneliness acts on the body is worth the time, all on its own. It’ll change how you see the relationship between social experience and physical health. But the broader message here is deeper: You are not alone in your loneliness. None of us are. And the best thing we can do is, often, helping someone else out of the very pit we’re in.

References:

Ezra's conversation with Johann Hari on the causes of depression

Murthy's article that called loneliness an "epidemic"

KFF/Economist poll of loneliness in US, UK and Japan

Book recommendations:

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albolm

Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch

Dear Madam President by Jennifer Palmieri

Want to contact the show? Reach out at ezrakleinshow@vox.com

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