Just don't call yourself a "wolfpack," that's lame …
We all know the type, those clingy bros that seem to be paying more attention to each other than anyone else in the general vicinity. It feels like, if nobody were around there’d be an intense make out sesh between them right then and there followed by a group field trip to the gym or whatever …
Which is apparently a healthy way to act. According to researchers at the University of California Berkeley: “Studies show that social interactions increase the level of the hormone oxytocin in the brain, and that oxytocin helps people bond and socialize more, increasing their resilience in the face of stress and leading to longer, healthier lives.”
The team observed male rats that had been exposed to mild stress and then reintroduced them to the pack. Socializing increased levels of oxytocin in the brain, causing the rats to socialize more, be more adaptable to the strain and lead to longer, healthier lives.
"A bromance can be a good thing," lead author Elizabeth Kirby said in the release. "Males are getting a bad rap when you look at animal models of social interactions, because they are assumed to be instinctively aggressive. But even rats can have a good cuddle—essentially a male-male bromance—to help recover from a bad day."
So the next time you’re internally judging a “wolfpack” for their rampant positivity and bro-ey ways of doing things, just remember, they’re happier and are probably going to live longer than you. Fuuuck …
Leave a Reply