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What happens to your brain without any social contact? - Terry Kupers

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Everyone needs time to themselves, and peaceful solitude has stress-relieving benefits. But when being alone is forced upon you, the effects can be surprisingly extensive. And though different people experience distinct effects, symptoms tend to become more severe and persistent the longer one’s isolated. So, how exactly does isolation affect your body and brain? Terry Kupers investigates.

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Additional Resources for you to Explore

Want to hear from prisoners what it is like to be in solitary confinement? Read their reports here. To learn more about the extent of solitary confinement in the USA and legislative efforts to reform and limit the practice, visit here. Learn about the United Nations "Mandela Rules" that serve to regulate the utilization of solitary confinement and avoid torture worldwide here. To learn more about effective alternatives to solitary confinement, read this research report from North Dakota. For a more detailed presentation by Dr. Kupers on solitary confinement, visit here.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Educator
Terry Kupers
Director
Camille Bovey
Narrator
Addison Anderson
Composer
Stephen LaRosa
Sound Designer
Amanda P.H. Bennett, cAMP Studio
Director of Production
Gerta Xhelo
Produced by
Sazia Afrin
Editorial Director
Alex Rosenthal
Editorial Producer
Cella Wright
Script Editor
Max G. Levy

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