So Sad? Japanese Media: Having No Friends Is Worse Than Smoking

When watching "My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU," we find that the main character, Hachiman, initially has no friends and is always cynical. However, he gradually makes friends and begins to open up. Do you know how harmful it is to have no friends? Recently, Japanese media cited a Harvard University study indicating that the dangers of having no friends are greater than smoking.

It is understood that if one frequently feels lonely and is socially isolated, the body secretes a substance called fibrinogen. This substance can clot the blood, leading to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Specifically, if one remains in a lonely environment for a long time, the probability of heart disease increases by 29%, while the risk of stroke rises by 32%. This is on par with the dangers of smoking and obesity.

Further investigations revealed that individuals with fewer than five friends have 20% higher levels of fibrinogen compared to those with more than 25 friends. Moreover, having 10 to 12 friends poses a risk level similar to that of smoking.

Currently, American men have an average of 19 friends, while women have 17.5 friends. However, as age increases, the number of friends tends to decrease. It’s no wonder that as people age, they are more prone to various diseases and feelings of loneliness.

In response, many Japanese netizens commented: “After reading this, I feel like I might already be dead.” “The lifespan of a recluse probably won’t be long.” “I want to find friends, but I just can’t…” So, fellow anime fans, how many friends do you have?