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Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

blogs.scientificamerican.com

11–20 of 146 posts

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#11
post #6

In some circles, there's even an expression for a related phenomenon: "skin hunger" https://globalnews.ca/news/6929793/coronavirus-disability-to...

Interestingly there is a Japanese phrase 'kuchi sabishii' that translates to 'lonely mouth' which means you aren't hungry but want to snack.

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#12
post #10

Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this. I have a family and even with them around living all day in my apt is starting to drive me crazy. I'd hate to be living by myself. Its a lot like solitary confinement. My Brother had the bug, had a mild cough for a few days and lost his taste. I'm very jealous.

> Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this.

I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting you will not be able to leave your house for another year. I think everywhere has concrete plans to re-open everything short of mass gatherings pretty soon. That's the cautious countries and the less cautious countries alike.

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#13
More or less for my entire life I've had the idea that my social needs were not on par with the rest of the people, and this quarantine seems to have proven just that.

Bear in mind I do enjoy social life; when I was living in Spain in my 30s (and single) I had a very active social life, and had a moderate (~30) amount of friends split in 2 groups with which I continuously interacted.

When I left Spain for my place of origin I had only a handful of friends, and then I moved to where I live now and have only one friend, whom I see sporadically.

Nowadays I mostly interact with my partner and daughter, and the people I work with (I've been working remotely for 13 years) and to be honest, I have no cravings for social life (Except that I miss going for a stroll every once in a while at nights).

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#14
post #10

Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this. I have a family and even with them around living all day in my apt is starting to drive me crazy. I'd hate to be living by myself. Its a lot like solitary confinement. My Brother had the bug, had a mild cough for a few days and lost his taste. I'm very jealous.

I guess he can eat the same food all the time now then

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#15
post #10

Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this. I have a family and even with them around living all day in my apt is starting to drive me crazy. I'd hate to be living by myself. Its a lot like solitary confinement. My Brother had the bug, had a mild cough for a few days and lost his taste. I'm very jealous.

> Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this. I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting you will not be able to leave your house for another year. I think everywhere has concrete plans to re-open everything short of mass gatherings pretty soon. That's the cautious countries and the less cautious countries alike.

Yeah I go outside 2-3 times a week already. I just want to visit my parents, sit at a proper desk, and have my children play with some friends.

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#16
post #13

More or less for my entire life I've had the idea that my social needs were not on par with the rest of the people, and this quarantine seems to have proven just that. Bear in mind I do enjoy social life; when I was living in Spain in my 30s (and single) I had a very active social life, and had a moderate (~30) amount of friends split in 2 groups with which I continuously interacted. When I left Spain for my place of…

[deleted]

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#17
post #10

Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this. I have a family and even with them around living all day in my apt is starting to drive me crazy. I'd hate to be living by myself. Its a lot like solitary confinement. My Brother had the bug, had a mild cough for a few days and lost his taste. I'm very jealous.

> Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this. I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting you will not be able to leave your house for another year. I think everywhere has concrete plans to re-open everything short of mass gatherings pretty soon. That's the cautious countries and the less cautious countries alike.

The open or closed status of everything has little to do with whether or not you should engage in non-essential visits. Policymakers do not schedule the virus.

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this. I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting you will not be able to leave your house for another year. I think everywhere has concrete plans to re-open everything short of mass gatherings pretty soon. That's the cautious countries and the less cautious countries alike.

The open or closed status of everything has little to do with whether or not you should engage in non-essential visits. Policymakers do not schedule the virus.

The 'non-essential' guidance is also being relaxed in all locations I've seen reporting on. Most are encouraging distanced socialising and return to work.

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#19
post #10

Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this. I have a family and even with them around living all day in my apt is starting to drive me crazy. I'd hate to be living by myself. Its a lot like solitary confinement. My Brother had the bug, had a mild cough for a few days and lost his taste. I'm very jealous.

I guess he can eat the same food all the time now then

Texture is (just/almost) as important as taste!

Re: Forced social isolation causes neural craving similar to hunger

#20
post #10

Honestly its scary the talk of another year like this. I have a family and even with them around living all day in my apt is starting to drive me crazy. I'd hate to be living by myself. Its a lot like solitary confinement. My Brother had the bug, had a mild cough for a few days and lost his taste. I'm very jealous.

Try spending 2+ months in an 18m² apartment alone AND under the obligation of following courses and studying for exams. Being a college student in a French elite school sucks.
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