A recent study conducted by a communication researcher at the University at Buffalo suggests that inflammation in the body may be a factor that leads people to use social media. The study involved over 1,800 participants and found that increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which the liver produces in response to inflammation, can promote social media use among middle-aged adults and college students. The findings also indicate that inflammation is associated with using social media to interact with other users, but not for entertainment purposes like watching funny videos. This research provides evidence of the role of the immune system in social media use and raises questions about the potential effects on physical and mental health. The study’s author, David Lee, plans to continue investigating the influence of inflammation on social behaviors online and offline.
https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2023/08/lee-inflammation-drives-social-media-use.html