Does our brain have a hidden thermostat for how much company we need?

You know that feeling when you just *crave* company, like a deep, physical need? This piece makes a fascinating case that it’s not just a mood, but a biological imperative, a form of "social homeostasis" regulated by our brains. It explores how our longing for connection might be as fundamental as hunger or thirst, tracing the neural pathways in mice (and us!) that drive us towards others. It really makes you think about loneliness differently, and the surprising power of something as simple as touch.

The craving for company is explored as a fundamental homeostatic need, akin to hunger or thirst, regulated by specific brain mechanisms. Neuroscience research in mice and humans identifies brain regions controlling social craving and satiety, highlighting the critical role of touch in meeting this essential requirement.

Read at source: Knowable Magazine