Social pain: A systematic review on interventions
F1000Research January 10, 2025 Brandon M. Brooks, Francisco J. Cordero, Stephen L. Alchermes et al. 3 citations
Social pain—emotional distress from harm to social connections, such as exclusion or rejection—can intensify physical pain. This systematic review of 14 randomized controlled trials found that acetaminophen, deceptive and open-label placebos, mindfulness training, and psilocybin reduce social pain. Combining acetaminophen with forgiveness was more effective than either alone. Pharmacological interventions target neural pathways shared by physical and social pain. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological options are available for reducing social pain.