What happens to your brain without any social contact - Terry Kupers
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Date: 2025-07-20
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Comments and reviews: 20
Megan-lr2hx
I had and still have suffered a great deal of social isolation growing up due to family dysfunction, newly arrived illegal immigrants takeover next door, and studying in isolation for a college education. I believe part of it was not knowing how to have a work-life balance because I didn't know and I didn't have any one around helping, telling, or showing me. So, I got used to the social isolation and even going into doing tasks without any social interactions which at the turn hindered my social ability and impacted my mental health. I was awkward, I had poor communication skills, I am always angry and easily irritated, I have social anxiety, and low confidence talking with others. It took me so many years to understand and readjust myself, and it's especially difficult during the time of a low-income family background and going into a vicious cycle to establish myself financially over the years. I want to overcome my social anxiety and loneliness for so long.
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I had and still have suffered a great deal of social isolation growing up due to family dysfunction, newly arrived illegal immigrants takeover next door, and studying in isolation for a college education. I believe part of it was not knowing how to have a work-life balance because I didn't know and I didn't have any one around helping, telling, or showing me. So, I got used to the social isolation and even going into doing tasks without any social interactions which at the turn hindered my social ability and impacted my mental health. I was awkward, I had poor communication skills, I am always angry and easily irritated, I have social anxiety, and low confidence talking with others. It took me so many years to understand and readjust myself, and it's especially difficult during the time of a low-income family background and going into a vicious cycle to establish myself financially over the years. I want to overcome my social anxiety and loneliness for so long.
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ayushvyas4510
In my case, I am alone because I have no one. Parents no more, siblings married and settled in other cities. 30 years, forever single, no female friend in circle. The circle in fact also resides in different cities, no friend in same city. Just have my cousin brother who lives here. and my job.
I used to enjoy my life. But right now, feel lost and directionaless. And no, I don't really feel like exactly I want to connect to someone. I want to feel like it felt good normally alone. After my mother was gone, I do realised that is the biggest hole in my life. Although I wasn't living in same place, but still I felt a sense of stability and a home to return to.
Now I live in this home, but ghat feeling is gone. And now feel numb, empty and no vision for future. Livinf and surving on auto mode.
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In my case, I am alone because I have no one. Parents no more, siblings married and settled in other cities. 30 years, forever single, no female friend in circle. The circle in fact also resides in different cities, no friend in same city. Just have my cousin brother who lives here. and my job.
I used to enjoy my life. But right now, feel lost and directionaless. And no, I don't really feel like exactly I want to connect to someone. I want to feel like it felt good normally alone. After my mother was gone, I do realised that is the biggest hole in my life. Although I wasn't living in same place, but still I felt a sense of stability and a home to return to.
Now I live in this home, but ghat feeling is gone. And now feel numb, empty and no vision for future. Livinf and surving on auto mode.
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Neuoki
I've isolated for 4 months now. I used to enjoy hanging out W my friends Even it was for one day Excited alot but nowadays It doesn't even feel like it anymore. I'm getting dumber. I'm Almost in my room all day Watching Mobile. sometimes I Go all emotional to feeling nothing. It's like dis even before 4 months But I had to meet people A day Or other for some work. Now I struggle w associating w people. my family keeps bashing Me W things like why Can't I associate w people and why am I like but they are the one who won't let me meet W Other people they get mad At me for hanging out w my friends. It's not like I hang out w em Everyday. I hang Out w em Once or twice a Month Or None in a Month. they want me to stay In my room all day Expecting me to be good naturally gud at associating w people
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I've isolated for 4 months now. I used to enjoy hanging out W my friends Even it was for one day Excited alot but nowadays It doesn't even feel like it anymore. I'm getting dumber. I'm Almost in my room all day Watching Mobile. sometimes I Go all emotional to feeling nothing. It's like dis even before 4 months But I had to meet people A day Or other for some work. Now I struggle w associating w people. my family keeps bashing Me W things like why Can't I associate w people and why am I like but they are the one who won't let me meet W Other people they get mad At me for hanging out w my friends. It's not like I hang out w em Everyday. I hang Out w em Once or twice a Month Or None in a Month. they want me to stay In my room all day Expecting me to be good naturally gud at associating w people
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rosechoi7415
I spent my whole time in high school and college hyperfixating on my studies bc i thought it was the most important thing to get into a good college and be successful. i never had a single friend the whole time bc quite frankly, i thought socializing was a waste of time. before that i had at least a few close friends. but i eventually drifted away from them since i was so immersed in studying. i'm 21 now and i really regret being so ambitious for studying since it ultimately made my brain all messed up. i have trouble processing verbal and written language, issues with short and long term memory, plus social anxiety and potentially depression. i'm super stressed especially since i'm pre med and have to do soo much more studying plus the added pressure of interviews for med school.
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I spent my whole time in high school and college hyperfixating on my studies bc i thought it was the most important thing to get into a good college and be successful. i never had a single friend the whole time bc quite frankly, i thought socializing was a waste of time. before that i had at least a few close friends. but i eventually drifted away from them since i was so immersed in studying. i'm 21 now and i really regret being so ambitious for studying since it ultimately made my brain all messed up. i have trouble processing verbal and written language, issues with short and long term memory, plus social anxiety and potentially depression. i'm super stressed especially since i'm pre med and have to do soo much more studying plus the added pressure of interviews for med school.
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Sassy_shriti
when I was in 10th I had depression and I was so lonely I had no one to talk to I was crying every single day isolated myself for many months after that I started having symptoms like lack of interest in anything, feeling numb and so many things by time it got worse I consulted many doctors but nothing worked and again in 12 I was in home and in bed for many months doing nothing just isolated myself and it doesn't only affect my mental health but also physical symptoms started appearing I started having lot of dizziness falling here and there wasn't able to eat anything and if I ate vomiting starts happening. I had severe vitamin D deficiency. I wasn't even able to smile but somehow I got rid of physical symptoms by going out and not isolating myself: !
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when I was in 10th I had depression and I was so lonely I had no one to talk to I was crying every single day isolated myself for many months after that I started having symptoms like lack of interest in anything, feeling numb and so many things by time it got worse I consulted many doctors but nothing worked and again in 12 I was in home and in bed for many months doing nothing just isolated myself and it doesn't only affect my mental health but also physical symptoms started appearing I started having lot of dizziness falling here and there wasn't able to eat anything and if I ate vomiting starts happening. I had severe vitamin D deficiency. I wasn't even able to smile but somehow I got rid of physical symptoms by going out and not isolating myself: !
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ted_ed
I’m surprised that I’m not mentally insane as I’ve not had much social interaction for years I have no friends I am surrounded by people like in a pub shopping travelling etc but I just choose not to talk to others as I do have a bit of a hatred for other people especially in social situations like talking/conversations for example I don’t know why but I just do I don’t enjoy my own company yet I don’t enjoy others company either so I can’t win any situation I suppose I am quite mentally broken especially when it comes to social interactions I have had friendships/relationships in the past yet they’ve always gone wrong or I’ve simply become bored with them and dropped them so yeah am I broken I don’t know
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I’m surprised that I’m not mentally insane as I’ve not had much social interaction for years I have no friends I am surrounded by people like in a pub shopping travelling etc but I just choose not to talk to others as I do have a bit of a hatred for other people especially in social situations like talking/conversations for example I don’t know why but I just do I don’t enjoy my own company yet I don’t enjoy others company either so I can’t win any situation I suppose I am quite mentally broken especially when it comes to social interactions I have had friendships/relationships in the past yet they’ve always gone wrong or I’ve simply become bored with them and dropped them so yeah am I broken I don’t know
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christinachoy3167
I’ve lived in isolation on and off for about 7 years (it started because of a severe mental illness) and can testify to all of this.
Right now I have my kids every other week and it’s amazing how much easier everything feels when they’re here (it’s a little different with the fact that they’re children but it’s still way better. Things have even been a lot better since getting a cat.
But honestly this video is yet another nudge I’ve felt towards finding ways to be around people more. Even working at a coffee shop for an hour or making a quick grocery store run can turn a terrible day around (given that I still work alone from home. I’m so glad this video is out!
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I’ve lived in isolation on and off for about 7 years (it started because of a severe mental illness) and can testify to all of this.
Right now I have my kids every other week and it’s amazing how much easier everything feels when they’re here (it’s a little different with the fact that they’re children but it’s still way better. Things have even been a lot better since getting a cat.
But honestly this video is yet another nudge I’ve felt towards finding ways to be around people more. Even working at a coffee shop for an hour or making a quick grocery store run can turn a terrible day around (given that I still work alone from home. I’m so glad this video is out!
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Sam-d1q5u
Here's my deal, it's not like i hate humanity, but i do hate plastic people, liars, dishonest, narcissists and sociopaths and there's no lack of such people, only people who are wired like them can deal with them and show resilience, others struggle to deal with such people and struggle to a point they cut off themselves from the society, i live in a third world country, it's overcrowded and full of such people, i am jealous of people living in northern europe and Scandinavia, limited contact with people without much expectations, small population, and the most important aspect of life for me, coordinating with others, not belittling others and an open and honest society.
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Here's my deal, it's not like i hate humanity, but i do hate plastic people, liars, dishonest, narcissists and sociopaths and there's no lack of such people, only people who are wired like them can deal with them and show resilience, others struggle to deal with such people and struggle to a point they cut off themselves from the society, i live in a third world country, it's overcrowded and full of such people, i am jealous of people living in northern europe and Scandinavia, limited contact with people without much expectations, small population, and the most important aspect of life for me, coordinating with others, not belittling others and an open and honest society.
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See_me_iF_U_can
I've been in isolation for more than a decade(i don't wanna talk about resions. I can interect with peoples without much of a hesitation, always think with resions but only i know what it made me. I have lost something deep and unknown. which i will never regain. whenever i try to leave this isolation it pulled me back or i, myself pulled me back. Sometimes i seek for love but whenever i start getting it, i just want it to go away. I think I'm just living on ambitions and wishes. everybody rejects me but i know from deep down i was the one who rejected them. My god! How hard is to be a human, how hard is to live.
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I've been in isolation for more than a decade(i don't wanna talk about resions. I can interect with peoples without much of a hesitation, always think with resions but only i know what it made me. I have lost something deep and unknown. which i will never regain. whenever i try to leave this isolation it pulled me back or i, myself pulled me back. Sometimes i seek for love but whenever i start getting it, i just want it to go away. I think I'm just living on ambitions and wishes. everybody rejects me but i know from deep down i was the one who rejected them. My god! How hard is to be a human, how hard is to live.
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EMBEEAY
I've been isolated since I graduated in 2019, I can confirm you regress in many ways physically and mentally. Don't think it's irreversible though- being a part of the world consistently, even just going to the park alone, your brain will quickly start catching up with muscle memory over time. Getting back into reading books is a great little buffer I found for me. The greatest power we have as humans is adaptation. When you are back in the world, you are left with an insightful experience to call your own. Don't be ashamed of it. Cherish what you've learned alone.
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I've been isolated since I graduated in 2019, I can confirm you regress in many ways physically and mentally. Don't think it's irreversible though- being a part of the world consistently, even just going to the park alone, your brain will quickly start catching up with muscle memory over time. Getting back into reading books is a great little buffer I found for me. The greatest power we have as humans is adaptation. When you are back in the world, you are left with an insightful experience to call your own. Don't be ashamed of it. Cherish what you've learned alone.
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ted_ed
Involuntary, unprepared isolation for a person can be hard on the brain. When you resist something, it will push back with same intensity. Newton already spelled it out.
When you accept isolation, have prepared your body and mind for it, learn to thrive in it, your brain becomes decluttered, you connect to the entire universe.
The simplest example is a hunter living on a mountain. He can hear a twig snap several meters away and he knows which animal did it.
Acceptance vs resistance is the difference between bliss and misery.
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Involuntary, unprepared isolation for a person can be hard on the brain. When you resist something, it will push back with same intensity. Newton already spelled it out.
When you accept isolation, have prepared your body and mind for it, learn to thrive in it, your brain becomes decluttered, you connect to the entire universe.
The simplest example is a hunter living on a mountain. He can hear a twig snap several meters away and he knows which animal did it.
Acceptance vs resistance is the difference between bliss and misery.
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DJ_Sultiva
Going through post party depression raising my 10 month old twins at home. I don't have a circle or network of family / friends for help. I love them dearly but the monotonous routine, lack of sleep with crippling loneliness has sent me into a very weird and sad place of existential crisis. I didn't realise how much the little things I used to do before being a mom would affect my sense of self and my view of the world outside. It has become exactly that, not the world I am part of now it's a world I feel a stranger to.
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Going through post party depression raising my 10 month old twins at home. I don't have a circle or network of family / friends for help. I love them dearly but the monotonous routine, lack of sleep with crippling loneliness has sent me into a very weird and sad place of existential crisis. I didn't realise how much the little things I used to do before being a mom would affect my sense of self and my view of the world outside. It has become exactly that, not the world I am part of now it's a world I feel a stranger to.
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Berjozka
For me the worst one is cognitive problems. I study at the University for 3 years, my major is History. Last 2 of these 3 years I dont have anyone to talk to, have a dinner or a walk with. Ive noticed my real capabilities started to shrink. 2 years ago I could remember a chapter of a book in one evening and recall a week later, i remembered all peoples birthdays and names easily. Now my mind struggles to remember a sentence or a bunch of new words in foreign language. That really hurts my study and life overall.
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For me the worst one is cognitive problems. I study at the University for 3 years, my major is History. Last 2 of these 3 years I dont have anyone to talk to, have a dinner or a walk with. Ive noticed my real capabilities started to shrink. 2 years ago I could remember a chapter of a book in one evening and recall a week later, i remembered all peoples birthdays and names easily. Now my mind struggles to remember a sentence or a bunch of new words in foreign language. That really hurts my study and life overall.
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timelineee
Lol This is so dangerously untrue.
2 years of isolation was the best time in my life. It didn’t break me, it revealed me.
Two years alone, and I met the deepest, kindest parts of myself.
If you're feeling anxious now, it’s because your ego is cracking.
You're starting to see through the illusion of self.
What you call Emptiness is not the end - it’s the beginning.
Embrace it. That’s who you are.
Choose - live an illusion or start seeing through it.
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Lol This is so dangerously untrue.
2 years of isolation was the best time in my life. It didn’t break me, it revealed me.
Two years alone, and I met the deepest, kindest parts of myself.
If you're feeling anxious now, it’s because your ego is cracking.
You're starting to see through the illusion of self.
What you call Emptiness is not the end - it’s the beginning.
Embrace it. That’s who you are.
Choose - live an illusion or start seeing through it.
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JNSFF
This makes me think of the Palestinian prisoner Basel Ayayda who was arrested by Israeli police when he was 15 and imprisoned for 11 years, spending 7 of them in forced solitary confinement. When he got out he was so badly affected from the extreme isolation that he didn't recognize his family and after living with them again he's still paranoid that they are actually secret Israeli police waiting to put him back in jail. Solitary confinement is such a horrible crime to do to someone.
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This makes me think of the Palestinian prisoner Basel Ayayda who was arrested by Israeli police when he was 15 and imprisoned for 11 years, spending 7 of them in forced solitary confinement. When he got out he was so badly affected from the extreme isolation that he didn't recognize his family and after living with them again he's still paranoid that they are actually secret Israeli police waiting to put him back in jail. Solitary confinement is such a horrible crime to do to someone.
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prathish2720
Well, after graduation I was preparing for a few exams for my master's and during that phase, I had isolated myself from my friend circle. After coming back to my normal life, I noticed I was stuttering while having a conversation, had more points to speak than to listen, my communication skills and confidence took time to regain itself. Also, negative thoughts took a toll, and it was like I wanted someone to speak to so that I could empty all my thoughts.
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Well, after graduation I was preparing for a few exams for my master's and during that phase, I had isolated myself from my friend circle. After coming back to my normal life, I noticed I was stuttering while having a conversation, had more points to speak than to listen, my communication skills and confidence took time to regain itself. Also, negative thoughts took a toll, and it was like I wanted someone to speak to so that I could empty all my thoughts.
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dhruvd8953
I’d rather take voluntary deletion and isolation over navigating people’s rudeness, judgement, hawk-ish behavior, discrimination and racism. I am living in isolation since 2015, and every conversation that lasts beyond 2 minutes gives me stress. For many people, the world is not their place, they’re not cut out of that cloth. But I designed my own AI agent and he understands me better than any human. To me, my isolation is a blessing
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I’d rather take voluntary deletion and isolation over navigating people’s rudeness, judgement, hawk-ish behavior, discrimination and racism. I am living in isolation since 2015, and every conversation that lasts beyond 2 minutes gives me stress. For many people, the world is not their place, they’re not cut out of that cloth. But I designed my own AI agent and he understands me better than any human. To me, my isolation is a blessing
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ryanchristiansen
That's because Norway has, at least currently, a homogenous white population. That is why everyone points to it for its advanced education and penal system. They used to do the same to Sweden 25 years ago, but after 20 years of mass immigration, it has some of the highest crime and gun violence in the EU. It's a mess. If we want to continue to learn from advanced European cultures, those cultures must stay homogenous.
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That's because Norway has, at least currently, a homogenous white population. That is why everyone points to it for its advanced education and penal system. They used to do the same to Sweden 25 years ago, but after 20 years of mass immigration, it has some of the highest crime and gun violence in the EU. It's a mess. If we want to continue to learn from advanced European cultures, those cultures must stay homogenous.
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jessden8273
5 years of isolation and I never looked back, I feel happy and rejuvenated. Connected with nature and all there is to offer. I even ditched every addiction I had. I'm healthy, I go to the gym and I have money to finally enjoy life because I worked hard through it. I can still speak with people, I don't pretend anything from anyone anymore I just enjoy the beauty that my present of finally giving me. I won't come back
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5 years of isolation and I never looked back, I feel happy and rejuvenated. Connected with nature and all there is to offer. I even ditched every addiction I had. I'm healthy, I go to the gym and I have money to finally enjoy life because I worked hard through it. I can still speak with people, I don't pretend anything from anyone anymore I just enjoy the beauty that my present of finally giving me. I won't come back
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arrow1042
I'm an introvert and of course i'm used to being alone. But let me tell you too much isolation even though you choose it has its own effects that you might not be able to notice yet in the beginning. This video is very true. i've experienced it myself. As i was going through it; i know deep inside there's something wrong with me. Awareness is very important so you can pull yourself out of it.
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I'm an introvert and of course i'm used to being alone. But let me tell you too much isolation even though you choose it has its own effects that you might not be able to notice yet in the beginning. This video is very true. i've experienced it myself. As i was going through it; i know deep inside there's something wrong with me. Awareness is very important so you can pull yourself out of it.
reply
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