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What happens to your brain without any social contact? – Terry Kupers



What happens to your brain without any social contact? – Terry Kupers

Explore the effects that isolation has on your body and brain, and how a lack of interaction and activity can impact our well-being.

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Everyone needs time to themselves, and peaceful solitude has stress-relieving benefits. But when being alone is forced upon you, the effects can be surprisingly extensive. And though different people experience distinct effects, symptoms tend to become more severe and persistent the longer one’s isolated. So, how exactly does isolation affect your body and brain? Terry Kupers investigates.

Lesson by Terry Kupers, directed by Camille Bovey.

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Animator’s website: https://camillebovey.com
Music: https://www.wonderboyaudio.com
Sound design: https://www.campstudio.co
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41 Comments

  2. @nikauru on

    It is true, my cousin is isolated. i wanted to help or reach out but everytime i try he always says, he is alright but its not. his parents think he's lazy and always bed rotting but he's not, I saw the way his eyes were so dull contrast to early days where he is the one who cheer me up. He used to be so full of life. I do think he has depression, I can't stop insisting we should hang out but he say he is fine or too tired to hangout.

    Long story short he attempted s******. Thank fully my other cousin found him and get him to the hospital asap.

  7. @asmg286 on

    I’m getting my social skills back and I’m so excited but scared but I know it’s for my health, I cut off most social media and now I make it a requirement to speak to a stranger at least once every other day. It feels so great.

  10. @difficilw on

    It's been about a year since I isolated myself and I've NEVER felt so empty. I have social anxiety, because of that I stopped going to school, I ended almost all my friendships and I rarely leave my bedroom. I HATE my life and myself. Sometimes I wonder how my life would be if I never decided to isolate myself. I don't know why I'm writing this comment, maybe I just feel lonely (english it's not my first language, so I'm sorry for any grammatical errors)

  11. @amalmallick5730 on

    Actually those people are showing that they interacted well with ppl , reality says different. Not everyone, but max did either attack personally or hit other's soft/weak point by repeatedly poking up. I'm pretty sure this trend is still persists in India very seriously among neighbours, relatives,etc.

    No matter how progressed the nation will be or the current condition of the world or 21st century's developments. They are highly busy with these,even create small groups for discussion and discuss about yourself whenever you're not present there but in front of you, behave very charmingly and positively. If it does meant for so called social contact, sorry, I never do that. Rather it'll be far better to be isolate and prepare yourself. Even not, just practice your hobbies. Truly it'll gifts more precious time, friend whatever than such toxic social communications. It's very difficult to select correct person/ppl to share your thoughts undoubtedly, but yet should be continued until success as well 😅.

    And of course social media is always with us . Anyone, Anytime, Anything can learn, share, and send comments.

    Thank you!
    Those comply with me, Like ❤

  12. @srn2388 on

    I isolate and I have experienced none of this. I feel great away from society and horrible people in general. I thrive and are most happiest when I am alone and everything is quiet.

  13. @detcordsalt on

    Living in lockdown lifestyle, barely leaving the house, spending upwards of months with bare minimum social interaction, working out indoors, going through most symptoms described here but saved by internet, tech, music and more activities to do indoors. Sense of time so lost that 7 years ago feels like yesterday. Any time spent outside feels like a distant dream with barely any consequence. Being jetlagged in your own hometown, shifting time zones from right here to across the globe every few days… When people were so noisy, irrational, confusing and despicable… that living like this – still ends up feeling more peaceful and practical than dealing with them again. Only difference being – voluntary isolation, not "forced" in any capacity. The sense of freedom to choose feels sufficient enough to justify staying like this for even longer. Anyone?

  14. @deathbros3022 on

    After Covid I noticed I became more social yes, that came over time but I was hitting puberty so it sort of became a part of my person to stutter and develop social anxiety. I like being alone but I like to be alone with someone not entirely have social exclusion

  23. @crazyrebel7406 on

    Haha it depends on the type of people and mindsets. Introverts like me love to be alone. Instead of being stressed, it is so relieving to be alone. No need to be in fuss anymore 😅

  24. @mariacontos2715 on

    I haven't listened to the video just to say that most ancient Greek philosophers, especially the Pythagoreans would spend 5 years in isolation. It was necessary if someone wanted to become a philosopher and join the Pythagorean school.

  25. @Mybet-x7m on

    On the contrary, solitude makes you see people for what they are; that humans are naturally social is a lie. They want you in the system of lies to make use of you. leave, stay on your own, trust nobody but yourself, in a short time, you will be unbeatable, you will not care about anything or anyone. It is the freedom the system most fears.

  29. @Briafoxx on

    After watching that I thought of a rlly cool story Ik everyone’s attention span is cooked sooo idk if anyone’s gonna read this but pls do I spend a lot of time on it it’s super rushed tho bc I didn’t wanna make it too long lmk if you want a full version or pt 2
    🙂

    His name is Eli Carter. Or at least, it was. No one says it anymore.

    In solitary, names don’t matter. You become the sound of your own breathing, the rhythm of your footsteps from wall to wall—six steps forward, six steps back. Over and over until your legs move without asking you. Eli Carter knows exactly how many days he’s been in solitary—he counted them, one scratch for each day, clean and controlled. Until one morning there are more. Dozens. Messy, overlapping, like someone else has been counting too. That’s when he starts questioning himself. The tapping begins that night: three knocks, pause, two. He ignores it—until loneliness wins. They answer each other, building a slow, fragile language. Her name is Mara. She forgets things—faces, time—and when he asks if she remembers her own face, she says no. He laughs, then realizes he hasn’t seen his either. Days blur, and talking to her feels normal—too normal. She answers too fast, sometimes before he even taps. One time he doesn’t move at all, and still she responds: You’re thinking too loud. Then a file appears. His case. Convicted. Witness: Mara Vance. She saw him. Identified him. That night he demands answers. “I told the truth,” she says. “That’s not me.” “Are you sure?” The next day, a mirror appears. It wasn’t there before—but now it is. He looks, and the face staring back is his, but the eyes are wrong—like they’ve seen this before. “You set me up,” he says. “I didn’t.” “I’ve never met you.” “You did. You just don’t remember.” Something cracks—rain, a streetlight, a girl backing away, his hands shaking. “I didn’t do it.” “You did. You forgot.” He flips through the file again and finds it: Mara Vance. Status: deceased. The tapping stops—but not really, because now it’s inside his head. Three knocks, pause, two. And for the first time, Eli doesn’t know if he’s alone—or if he ever was.

  30. @ggpio1895 on

    so this me right now. ive been isolate for i think almost 2 years now i dont even know who i am anymore or how to connect talk to others even my friends and family i get anxious every time and questioning everything. but i do exercise and do cycling everyday but everytime there's a social gathering im just silent and dont know how to interact. i feel worthless and hsoulnt be happy but i hope that i get through his someday if i lost the fight then that's it

  31. @its1034 on

    I have socially isolated myself for 3 weeks, heres what i have noticed:
    -lost 10lbs
    -increased anxiety
    -apetite decreased drastically
    -more emotional, especially towards yt videos
    -daydreamed like CRAZY
    -fell into addiction again
    -my perceived self-worth is zero

    So yeah, this videos is actually quite accurate.

  34. @bbambg on

    I think all the countries should adopt russian system, where solitary confinement is something prisoners are asking for =)) or chineese

  38. @Uiuinini7 on

    Anyone also experiencing social isolation?? I’ve been isolated for four years now it’s really sad but at the same time I’m getting used to it so a little numb …. Anyone can relate

  39. @Giovanisabelx on

    Shout out to the nurses, medical teams who helped treat my dad, also my mom, sister and cashiers for showing up and not making me feel crazy. Sometimes that was as social as I got after and during my depression. A strong virtual "Jowana" hug to the people online who interacted with me and brought the funny when things we're so funny. It's greatly appreciated.