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People travel to the most remote regions of the earth, and even voyage into space. There, they spend weeks or even years isolated from the rest of humanity. What does this kind of extreme isolation mean, for the body and psyche? Scientists have conducted studies and found out that in isolation, certain brain structures change, in order to adapt to the new environment.
Isolation causes stress for all social animals. Humans, mice and even fish species develop behavioural problems, when isolated: Depression, anxiety or hyperactivity are the consequences. Stress caused by isolation also weakens the immune system. In a series of experiments, test subjects collected saliva, urine and hair. The samples showed that the stress hormone cortisol increased when the test subjects had experienced isolation.
During the global Corona pandemic, with government-imposed lockdowns and contact restrictions, research on isolation has come into focus. What effects do these exceptional situations have on people's bodies and minds? And: what resources do we have to help us survive phases of isolation?
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