It turns out that the use of social media is promoted when 'inflammation' occurs in the body, what is the surprising relationship between immune response and SNS?



Many people use social media in search of social relationships, such as when they want to share memorable events or opinions, or when they want to connect with someone. A new study has found that inflammation caused by things like trauma and infection can drive people to use social media.

Can inflammation predict social media use? Linking a biological marker of systemic inflammation with social media use among college students and middle-aged adults - ScienceDirect

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889159123001289

Study: Inflammation drives social media use - University at Buffalo
https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2023/08/lee-inflammation-drives-social-media-use.html

This time, David Lee, a humanities researcher at the University at Buffalo in the United States, and his colleagues conducted a study published in August 2023 in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. We investigated the relationship between inflammatory responses and social media use.

The survey was conducted in three parts. In the first study, 863 adults who participated in two large American studies were surveyed and blood sampled, providing data on their social media usage and blood samples. In addition, 288 and 171 university students participated in the second and third surveys, respectively, and assisted in similar data collection.

Collectively, these findings show that there is a positive correlation between levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is produced in the liver in response to inflammation in the body, and heavy use of social media. It was confirmed that people with high reaction numbers also use social media more frequently.



In addition, an analysis focusing on social media usage revealed that inflammatory responses were associated with social interactions such as exchanging messages, but not social media usage such as sharing funny videos or playing games together. We also found that using it to kill time has nothing to do with inflammation.

According to Lee's research team, this study is the first to show that the immune system is a potential factor promoting SNS use.

Inflammation, which is a defensive response to wounds and infections, promotes the use of SNS because the sign that the body has been damaged increases the social affinity motive , that is, the desire to be with someone, and it is a means to satisfy that desire. It is believed that this is because people turn to social media as

'In general, inflammation leads to behaviors and symptoms that help the body heal from disease,' Lee said. 'Humans are social beings, so when we are sick or injured, we can provide social support and care. 'It may be logical to approach the people.'

On the other hand, Lee believes that some people may be experiencing a ` `positive feedback loop ,'' a cycle in which the use of SNS causes inflammation, which in turn drives people to use SNS. Masu. For example, another previously published study found that while social media use has positive effects on young people, it can also lead to serious risks.

SNS has positive effects on children and young people, but can pose serious risks, reports Surgeon General urging policy makers and technology companies to take action - GIGAZINE



The researchers will now study how inflammation affects online and offline social behavior, and whether the association between inflammation and social media use differs in certain groups, such as teenagers and people with low self-esteem. The company plans to conduct further research to find out why.

in Web Service,   Science, Posted by log1l_ks