In 1966, The Rolling Stones released Mothers' Little Helper. In it, Keith Richards and the band explained
Mother needs something today to calm her down
And though she's not really ill
There's a little yellow pill
She goes running for the shelter of her mother's little helper
And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day.
As an aside, note that The Rolling Stones had their first chart single in 1963. Believe it or not, they are touring again in 2019, the "No Filter Tour." An amazing run, no matter what anyone thinks. And, despite the lyrics' seeming suggestion that medication might be taken when one is "not really ill," the fact is that in a great many instances, medication is both symptom-relieving and even life-saving. This post is not an indictment of medication. But, perhaps we might all do well to question our use and whether there are non-medication solutions to try also?
Those Stones lyrics came back to me with a recent announcement about loneliness. Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo is trying to develop a pill for loneliness. One focus of the research is on the effects that loneliness can have on "the brain and the body." She and "countless other Americans, and scientists believe that it is a condition that not only hinders our happiness but our health."
The goal is "a pill that can soothe brain activity." Dr. Cacioppo says that loneliness is an epidemic, and that it "increases the risk of dementia, diabetes, and even death." She says that "almost half of Americans say they" suffer to some degree from loneliness. Because of our nature as social beings, she contends that isolation portends disease processes like "diabetes and dementia," and may contribute to "destructive activities such as smoking and drinking."
Researchers have evidence of isolation contributing to, perhaps causing, some physical manifestations. The one "more thoroughly explored" is the link hypothesized between loneliness and dementia. Loneliness has been seen as leading to physical changes in the human brain, "inflammation, which in turn promotes memory loss." There are similar hypotheses regarding heart function and other physical maladies.
The results of Dr. Cacioppo's research have suggested that a natural steroid produced by our body may be the "key to the production of many hormones" that we require. This steroid, pregnenolone, stimulates other systems in our bodies. In a University of Michigan study, "a derivative of pregnenolone" was perceived as suppressing activity in certain portions of the brain. Test "participants said they also felt less anxious." Notably, pregnenolone is an over-the-counter "supplement," so long as it is derived from animals and not created synthetically, that is marketed as "an anti-aging and pro-memory supplement."
The story of Dr. Cacioppo's research thus works from a premise that a pill could be developed and concludes with an over-the-counter pill already exists. There is little edification as to why her efforts are significant to us in light of that unless it is to verify the effectiveness of this existing solution. The story left me wondering whether she seeks to refine and improve this existing remedy or whether it is a path towards some more efficacious solution of combination.
Is there a promise for a pill to make us feel less lonely? Is a pill the answer? Might the real cure for loneliness be human interaction and engagement? Certainly, there are living environments that are more conducive to that than others. Certainly, some people are more open and engaging in social interaction than others, but before we turn to a pill for loneliness, might we consider some of our American history with pills.
A few years back, Time reported that Some antidepressants "Make you Feel Worse before you Feel Better." The study cited says that these drugs may take weeks or even a month before there is an improvement. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration requires warnings on these chemicals "of possible suicidal thoughts and behaviors."
There are reports on the Internet of patients who claim that medications made their symptoms worse. Patients have complained about a particular medication increasing depression. Another patient has complained about various medications. Yet another is troubled by still another. Thus, there is anecdotal evidence of various pills not being the be-all and end-all solution to people's symptoms. And, some may have side effects we did not expect or want.
Further, there have been allegations of some instances in which people began using medication possibly for the wrong reason. One pharmaceutical firm founder was "arrested and charged with bribing doctors to overprescribe the drug." Another story describes the arrest of six executives, accused of "a well-organized plot to have doctors overprescribe." There have been arrests and lawsuits, settlements and pleas. As a result, there may be some Americans who lack faith in the pharmaceutical industry today.
Some will remember the dynamic growth in Ritalin prescriptions. PsychCentral.com reports that Ritilin is a useful and effective drug. However, there is some sentiment that it has led to an "over-diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in children. The author of that critique warns that "Americans have a tendency, more than any other nation on this Earth I think, to want to pathologize behavior which they do not understand or which they have no patience for." As a result, he contends that "too many clinicians nowadays are too quick to diagnose ADHD." He contends diagnoses are too quick, lack evidentiary support, and some "believe Ritalin is being overprescribed."
In short, there have been news reports and anecdotes that have led the American people to doubt medication. This may be due to doubts about medicine efficacy, the competence or engagement of doctors, or the methodology or trustworthiness of pharmaceutical companies. Of course, there is no reason that people might distrust medication for other reasons entirely, or even a combination of various reasons.
So, maybe the solution for loneliness that should be tried first would be engagement? Anyone can become lonely. News4Jax.com recently reported a man became so lonely, having used all of his cell phone minutes, that he began calling 911 just to chat. He was arrested and stands accused of making about 200 calls to 911 to cure his loneliness.
In January, ABC News reported some good news regarding depression. It describes the results of a survey published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Psychiatry regarding depression. The study included "genetic data of 300,000." The people "with higher levels of physical activity had lower odds of major depressive disorder." The conclusion is that "physical activity may causally reduce risk for depression." The authors concluded that "any activity appears to be better than none," but they recommend "replacing sedentary behavior with 15 minutes of vigorous activity each day."
Thus, perhaps one could fight the burden of obesity, discussed in How can they Both Increase (February 2019), and at the same time reduce risk of some emotional issues. And, perhaps by engaging in that activity with others, the loneliness challenge might also be approached? Perhaps there is aid to our human condition in exercising with others? There are exercise classes available in a variety of environments from a variety of organizations. There are a multitude of events and activities in most communities. One of the most inspirational people I've met, Nicole Marquez (An Indomitable Spirit)(April 2018), recently posted about surrounding yourself with people "lifting each other up." Anyone who ever thinks "I can't" just needs to read her story of how she got back up and did it anyway.
In the end, even if activity with others is not the be-all and end-all, is there any harm in trying it to see? See you at
