Scientists have called friendship the key to biological longevity

Long and lasting friendships can be not only a source of joy, but also a factor in slowing down aging at the cellular level. This was reported on October 6 in the journal Science Daily.

As Anthony Ong, a professor of psychology at Cornell University, noted, the key was not the presence of one or two friendships, but the persistence of social ties over decades.

"We looked at four key aspects: the warmth and support that people received from their parents in childhood, how connected they were to their community and neighborhood, involvement in religious or confessional communities, and constant emotional support from friends and family,— Ong said.

Scientists have called this phenomenon a "cumulative social advantage" — the effect of accumulating social resources from childhood to adulthood. People with high levels of such support had lower rates of inflammation and slower epigenetic clocks, including GrimAge and DunedinPACE, two of the most reliable biomarkers of aging.

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The researchers also identified a link between strong social connections and decreased levels of interleukin-6, a pro—inflammatory protein associated with risks of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. However, short-term stress hormones such as cortisol showed no significant differences.

The authors noted that it is the depth and stability of social ties that have been forming for decades and spanning different spheres of life that play a crucial role. The study reinforces the idea that social activity is not only a source of joy or a way to cope with stress, but also one of the most important factors affecting the physical condition of the body. The conclusion is clear: a busy social life is not a matter of emotions, but a key biological mechanism that determines longevity.

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On September 26, Georgy Karpenko, an architect at Architecture Plus Information (Perkins & Will) in New York, told Izvestia about the direct impact of architecture on the inner state of a person. It was noted that the majestic spaces of temples, parliaments or town halls raise the gaze upward and direct thoughts to something more, and chamber bars, lounges or private rooms create an atmosphere of comfort and security.

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