Why is Socializing Important for the Development of our Brains

By Ria Pole, Neuroscience student University of Lethbridge

Socializing is often misunderstood as a personality trait or something only “extroverts” enjoy. In reality, social connection is not optional. It is biological. From infancy to old age, our brains are shaped by the relationships we form and the conversations we share.

Research consistently shows that strong social connections are linked to better health and longer life. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that individuals with strong social bonds have a 50% higher likelihood of survival, meaning reduced risk of premature mortality, compared to those who are socially isolated (1). Chronic social isolation has also been compared to smoking 15 cigarettes per day due to its significant health risks (2). Social connection, therefore, is not a luxury; it is a necessity.

Humans evolved as cooperative and community-based beings. For thousands of years, survival depended on communication, collaboration, and shared knowledge. Our brains developed within this social environment, and they still rely on it today.  Social interaction doesn’t just engage the brain it actively strengthens and supports brain function.

Socializing is an act of exchanging regular and meaningful conversations and bonds. Human beings are an inherently social species and are called social beings. Because humans are inherently social, our brains are constantly working to interpret the people around us. When we interact with others, we analyze facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, intentions, and emotions. These processes allow us to understand and predict behavior, making social life possible.

These abilities begin to develop very early in life. Between the ages of three and five, children begin to develop what is known as Theory of Mind, this is the ability to recognize that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from their own. This cognitive skill forms the foundation of empathy, cooperation, and communication.

From the moment a baby locks eyes with a caregiver to the conversations we have as adults, social interactions continually shape the brain. These moments regulate emotional systems, strengthen cognitive networks, and support mental well-being. In many ways, social connection functions like nutrition or physical exercise for the brain: it helps maintain and develop the systems that allow us to think, feel, and thrive.

Positive Effects of Socializing

• Physical Health benefits:

Research indicates that people with stronger social bonds are 50% more likely to survive than those with fewer social bonds. Social interaction has been shown to reduce blood pressure, inflammation, and improve heart health (1,2). It increases our immune system and helps us to recover faster from illnesses. On the other hand, social isolation is associated with increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and other serious health conditions. While isolation is not the sole cause of these outcomes, growing evidence suggests it is a significant risk factor that can negatively impact our physical health (2).

• Mental Health Benefits

Think of a time when you talked to a person you trust about a stressful situation. If the conversation felt safe and supportive, your breathing may have slowed down, your anxiety or thoughts may have cleared, and your problems would feel more manageable. This is how our nervous system balances itself through social connections. Social interactions teach our brains ways to feel safe and valued. Positive responses from parents, such as being acknowledged, elaborating on and validating emotions, have been noted to strengthen healthy emotional circuitry, while responses that are dismissive could impair reward-based brain activity (3,4). It has been proven that social interactions can be useful in reducing stress, loneliness, anxiety and depression (3). It can also be useful in building our capacity for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

• Cognitive Benefits

Socializing plays an important role in shaping human intelligence. It reflects the “use it or lose it” principle, where cognitive abilities are strengthened through regular engagement and can decline without social stimulation. 

Engaging with others helps improve our executive functioning, which includes working memory, decision-making, Attention, Mental flexibility, and inhibitory control. Remembering names, recognizing faces, following conversations, and responding thoughtfully all require active use of working memory and executive functioning skills. Over time, these repeated mental exercises help maintain and protect cognitive performance (5).

• Neuroplasticity

One of the most fascinating features of the brain is how the neural connections form, reorganize, and strengthen through face-to-face social interactions. Social interactions make us resilient and adaptable.

Social isolation reduces grey matter in the hippocampus, cortical thickness, and declines memory, processing speed and executive function. Grey matter supports decision-making and information processing. The cortex supports learning, memory, and emotional regulation (6).

• Mirror neurons

Mirror neurons play a key role in social cognition. These neurons are activated when an individual performs an action and observes another person perform the same action. These neurons play a big role in supporting imitation, empathy and observational learning (3). Children learn emotional expressions, gestures, behavioral patterns by watching their caregivers from infancy. Repeated social engagement strengthens and stabilizes the neural circuits supporting empathy.

• Stress Hormones

Social connection directly influences neurochemistry. Social networks are associated with reductions in cortisol (the primary stress hormone) and increases in oxytocin (a bonding hormone), serotonin (a mood regulator), and dopamine (a pleasure and motivation hormone). These neurotransmitters support mood, habit formation, learning, motivation and neuronal health (3,4).

• Education and learning

Students who experience isolation or social disconnection often have lower working memory capacity, less focused attention, and lower academic achievement (7). The prefrontal cortex of students functions more efficiently when they feel safe, supported and valued.

Social interactions help improve attention, working memory, planning, organization, and learning (7). Social isolation causes stress, which impairs these cognitive skills, flexibility and performance.

• Protection against Dementia

Longitudinal research shows that older adults who are socially isolated are 47% at a higher risk to develop cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (5,8). Another study also shows that seniors who are socially isolated are 27% at a higher risk to develop dementia (5,8). The reason behind this is that social conversations are cognitive workouts. It requires skills such as working memory, attentional switching, emotional regulation, and language retrieval. These are the same networks involved in executive functioning. Regular activation of these systems strengthens neural pathways and may slow age-related decline (5,8). However, it is important to note that not all interactions provide equal benefit. Hostile, competitive, or highly stressful interactions do not produce the same cognitive advantages as supportive and cooperative conversations.

Socialization across our lifespan

• Early childhood

Early stages of childhood represent a sensitive and critical period for brain development. Social interactions during this stage shape language, emotional regulation, empathy, and executive functioning. Social deprivation during this period could alter the structural development involved in regions involved in emotional regulation, executive functioning, and cognitive control. A child who engages in two-way conversations with a caregiver strengthens neural circuits responsible for communication and attention.

• Adolescence

Social experiences with peers and caregivers during this period strongly influence identity formation and emotional development. Social experiences during this stage help teenagers develop resilience and coping skills. Adolescents who maintain healthy social connections tend to regulate stress more effectively.

• Adulthood and Aging

Memory, executive function and emotional balance start to decline gradually during adulthood and later life. Regular social engagement helps preserve these abilities. In contrast, prolonged isolation accelerates cognitive decline and may contribute to faster brain aging (6).

Social activities that support brain health

Certain activities naturally strengthen social connections and cognitive health:

-        Participating in group exercise,

-        Volunteering in the community,

-        Joining clubs and interest-based organizations,

-        Sharing meals,

-        Video calls with loved ones,

-        Gardening or community projects,

-        Dance, movement, and playful interaction

These activities support neuroplasticity by combining conversation, cooperation, emotional exchange, and mental stimulation.

Practical ways to improve social connection

Improving social connections does not require drastic changes. Small, consistent actions can make a difference.

⁃                  By practicing active listening during conversations

⁃                  By initiating conversations

⁃                  By joining interest-based groups or clubs

⁃                  By being consciously empathetic and considering people’s perspectives

Final Reflection

Human connection grows when people feel heard, valued, and respected. These everyday moments, listening attentively, sharing experiences, or simply being present, play a powerful role in building emotional resilience, supporting healthy self-esteem, and strengthening our ability to regulate emotions.

For someone who feels socially disconnected, rebuilding connection does not require a dramatic change. Growth often begins with small, consistent steps: starting a conversation, sharing a meal, going for a walk with someone, or simply taking the time to truly listen. Over time, these simple acts can create meaningful bonds and restore a sense of belonging.

Our brains are shaped through connection. From early childhood to late adulthood, relationships influence how we think, feel, and cope with the world around us. Humans were never designed to function in isolation; we evolved to cooperate, communicate, and support one another.

For this reason, social interaction should not be viewed as optional or secondary to our well-being. Just like sleep, nutrition, and physical activity, meaningful social connection is essential for brain health, emotional stability, and human development. When we nurture our relationships, we are also nurturing a healthy brain.

References:

1.     Hubbard, D., MD. (n.d.). Five Surprising Health Benefits to Socializing with Others. https://www.summahealth.org/flourish/entries/2023/12/five-surprising-health-benefits-to-socializing-with-others

2.     Asbury. (2024, December 5). Why is socialization important for brain health? Asbury. https://www.asbury.org/blog/socialization-important-for-brain-health/ 

3.     Interactions sociales : cerveau, empathie & troubles | Institut du Cerveau. (n.d.). Paris Brain Institute. https://parisbraininstitute.org/brain-function-cards/social-interactions

4.     Directory, S. (2025, November 19). Why is social interaction crucial for brain health? → Question. Lifestyle → Sustainability Directory. https://lifestyle.sustainability-directory.com/question/why-is-social-interaction-crucial-for-brain-health/

5.     Social interaction may be key to keeping the brain young. (n.d.). Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/prevention/social-interaction-may-be-key-to-keeping-the-brain-young/

6.     Lammer L, Beyer F, Luppa M, et al. Impact of social isolation on grey matter structure and cognitive functions: A population-based longitudinal neuroimaging study. eLife. 2023;12:e83660. doi: 10.7554/eLife.83660

7.     Howley-Rouse, A. (2020, February 10). The importance of social connection in schools. THE EDUCATION HUB. https://theeducationhub.org.nz/social-connection/

8.     Friends with cognitive benefits: Mental function improves after certain kinds of socializing. (2010, October 10). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101028113817.htm

9.     Why social connection matters for brain health & dementia. (2025, December 17). https://neuropsychologyllc.com/why-social-connection-matters-for-brain-health-dementia/

10.  Greer, V. (2025, December 17). Mindful Mingling: Socializing for Brain Health - CleopatraRX. CleopatraRX. https://cleopatrarx.com/blog/social-strategies-for-a-sharp-mind/

11.  Social cognition as psychological mind interaction tiny person concept. (n.d.). VectorMine. https://vectormine.com/item/social-cognition-as-psychological-mind-interaction-tiny-person-concept/?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic