Believing you’re lonely has far more impact on brain health than actually being alone, scientists find

Loneliness is much more than a bad feeling. The mental condition has long been shown to have major impacts for multiple facets of health, such as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia.

Now, American researchers have identified additional concerns that could lead people to make changes in their social lives. They say a study of over 175,000 adults in 18 countries revealed that persistent loneliness has the ability to shorten your lifespan and drives cognitive impairment.