“Studies have shown that when people feel part of a close-knit group they are less likely to suffer heart attacks, more able to cope with stress and better at retaining their memory than people who become socially isolated. A study of 650 stroke patients followed over a period of five years found that those who were part of a close-knit social group were significantly less likely to suffer a second, life-threatening problem over a given period of time.

“‘We are social animals who live and have evolved to live in social groups. Membership of groups, from football teams to book clubs and voluntary societies, gives us a sense of social identify,’ said Professor Alex Haslam of the University of Exeter.  ‘This is an indispensable part of who we are and what we need to be in order to lead rich and fulfilling lives. For this reason, groups are central to mental functioning, health and well-being. The point here is that the drug is us. The drug is the social group. The big question is why has it been ignored for so long given the profound impact that it has?’” — full story in The Independent (UK)