The Loneliness Epidemic: Why Community Is Key To Better Health and Longevity

Mark Hyman

Jul 15, 2024

Episode description

Did you know chronic loneliness is just as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? In this episode, I revisit conversations with Dr. Vivek Murthy and Dr. Robert Waldinger to explore the profound impact of social isolation on both our physical and mental health. Plus, we share practical tips for cultivating connections in our modern world where loneliness is increasingly common.

View Show Notes From This Episode

Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman

Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal

Full-length episodes of these interviews can be found here:

The Surprising Key to Longevity

Why Loneliness Is A Public Health Issue

How Our Relationships Can Impact Our Health And Longevity

This episode is brought to you by Momentous, Neurohacker, AG1, and Cymbiotika.

Head over to LiveMomentous.com/Mark for 20% off creatine, collagen, and all of their best-in-class products.

Decrease your "zombie cells" with Qualia Senolytic. Visit QualiaLife.com/Hyman to get 50% off and use code HYMAN for an additional 15% off your order.

Get your daily serving of vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, and more with AG1. Head to DrinkAG1.com/Hyman and get a year's worth of D3 and five Travel Packs for FREE with your first order.

Upgrade your supplement routine with Cymbiotika. Get 20% off with free shipping on all orders. Head to Cymbiotika.com and use code HYMAN.

Episode description

Did you know chronic loneliness is just as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? In this episode, I revisit conversations with Dr. Vivek Murthy and Dr. Robert Waldinger to explore the profound impact of social isolation on both our physical and mental health. Plus, we share practical tips for cultivating connections in our modern world where loneliness is increasingly common.

View Show Notes From This Episode

Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman

Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal

Full-length episodes of these interviews can be found here:

The Surprising Key to Longevity

Why Loneliness Is A Public Health Issue

How Our Relationships Can Impact Our Health And Longevity

This episode is brought to you by Momentous, Neurohacker, AG1, and Cymbiotika.

Head over to LiveMomentous.com/Mark for 20% off creatine, collagen, and all of their best-in-class products.

Decrease your "zombie cells" with Qualia Senolytic. Visit QualiaLife.com/Hyman to get 50% off and use code HYMAN for an additional 15% off your order.

Get your daily serving of vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, and more with AG1. Head to DrinkAG1.com/Hyman and get a year's worth of D3 and five Travel Packs for FREE with your first order.

Upgrade your supplement routine with Cymbiotika. Get 20% off with free shipping on all orders. Head to Cymbiotika.com and use code HYMAN.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Eliminate zombie cells to age well

After age 30, the body accumulates senescent 'zombie' cells that accelerate aging, but these can be targeted and eliminated with compounds called senolytics found in supplements like Qualia Senolytic.

Foster connection through genuine curiosity

A simple yet powerful way to build connection is to be genuinely curious about another person, as making them feel seen, known, and heard is a fundamental human desire.

Cuddle to transform your epigenome and calm your nervous system

Research indicates that physical affection and connection, such as cuddling, can directly change your epigenome and help calm your nervous system.

Engage in daily social fitness to strengthen relationships

Treat your relationships with 'social fitness,' a practice analogous to physical fitness that requires consistent, active effort rather than assuming friendships will maintain themselves.

Recognize loneliness as a root cause of addiction

Loneliness is often invisible because it can manifest as depression, anxiety, or addiction, with the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous believing it was a root cause of alcoholism.

Combat chronic loneliness to enhance lifespan

Chronic loneliness has a mortality impact similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is considered a greater risk factor for a shortened lifespan than obesity or a sedentary lifestyle.

Prioritize relationships for a long, happy life

An 84-year Harvard study concluded that good relationships, not career achievement, diet, or exercise, were the single most important determinant of a long, happy, and healthy life.

Nurture relationships to influence gene expression positively

The concept of 'sociogenomics' suggests that social relationships directly influence gene expression, with loving conversations turning on anti-inflammatory genes and conflictual ones increasing stress hormones.

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© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius