Socialising can boost your immune system and increase life expectancy, according to a leading doctor.
In an age of longevity clinics and ‘biomaxxing’ influencers like Bryan Johnson—who has spent millions of dollars on trying to live longer—immunologist Dr Jenna Macciocchi says that a long life doesn’t have to cost a thing.
Instead she says that a simple lifestyle change can help prevent illness, and it’s as simple as enhancing your social interactions.
This is because it boosts the immune system—the body’s defence against infections—and in the longer term, it can reduce inflammation, a process linked to multiple diseases.
Dr Macciocchi, author of the bestselling Immune to Age book which outlines her hacks to live longer, said: ‘I think humans have this idea where if you’re paying money it therefore must work—the thinking that says: “I’m taking 20 supplements so I’m good—it doesn’t matter that I feel really wired and stressed out all the time.”
‘But our immune system is the single greatest arbiter of both how long we live and the quality of those years.’
Dr Jenna Macciocchi says that there is no need to waste money on fads
The immunologist says people like billionaire Bryan Johnson are leading people in the wrong direction when it comes to trying to live longer
One of the tricks Dr Macciocchi says is the key to a longer and happier life is social interaction—particularly for people over the age of 60.
‘Focus on socialising, connection, and finding joy in the small moments—that is all good for the immune system,’ Dr Macciocchi, told the I paper.
‘If you’re stressed, it puts your immune system on red alert—primed for inflammation. If your thought patterns are calm and relaxed and you have a social connection.’
On the Happy Place podcast with Ferne Cotton Dr Macciocchi explains this is because of the ‘mind body connection’ – or the psychoneuroimmunology.
‘The immune system is not in one place in the body, it is everywhere,’ says Dr Macciocchi.
‘Particularly with the brain, if you see danger with your eyes, that is information that your brain is taking and making an imprint of hormones it puts out into the body your immune cells pick up the signal and get ready for a threat,’ which increases inflammation according to the doctor.
One of the key hormones for improving the immune system is oxytocin—the love hormone.
Oxytocin, also known as the ‘cuddle hormone’, is released by the body during ‘tender moments’ – including while hugging and during sex.
Social interaction is the key living longer according to Dr Macciocchi
Immune cells have receptors for oxytocin, which is why the doctor believes that it holds the key to a longer happier life.
‘What you are thinking and feeling directly impacts your immunology,’ says Dr Macciocchi. ‘I am safe, I am loved, these are really key feelings.’
‘The oxytocin that’s released is calming and anti-inflammatory.’
The doctor explains that online interaction is not enough to feel the benefits of socialising.
‘There’s something about the physical contact—your heart is electromagnetic—eventually your heart beats will synchronise when you’re spending time with other people,’ says Dr Macciocchi.
‘It is why you want to hug a friend, it is why you want to meet with people in real life and have that physical connection. Co-regulation we have is really physical. It’s great that we have technology but there is this fundamental thing we can’t replace.’
Dr Macciocchi also says rather than considering it only when we’re unwell, we ‘have to think of it as a companion across the decades – befriend it and understand it early in life.’
Her other tips include lift weights and limit takeaways in your 30s, destress in your 40s and 50s while focusing on remaining active in your 60s.