Hebrew University study links companionship to improved physiological regulation

New research published in Science Advances suggests that human physiology is inherently social, meaning the body regulates itself more efficiently when in the presence of loved ones. This concept, termed “social physiology,” indicates that being close to a partner or caregiver can lower the physical energy required for the body to maintain homeostasis.

In studies led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, researchers found that adults eating a standardized carbohydrate meal alongside a romantic partner experienced smaller blood sugar spikes and returned to baseline levels faster than those eating alone. This resulted in approximately a 15% reduction in overall glucose exposure.

The physiological benefits extended to other systems as well. Participants in cold-exposure tests maintained skin temperature more effectively when a partner was nearby, and those undergoing mild-shock stress tests showed smaller, shorter-lived nervous system arousal. Similar patterns were observed in mother-infant pairs, where infants exhibited reduced stress responses to loud noises when their mothers were present in the room.