Nine To Noon Neuroscientist Ben Rein on why our brains need friends to be at our most healthy
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Mar 18, 2026 
Ben Rein, US neuroscientist and author of Why Brains Need Friends, studies how social connection shapes brain health. He talks about why humans crave connection, differences between introverts and extroverts, the biology of loneliness, and how everyday interactions and digital contact affect wellbeing. Discussions include spotting reliable science communication and the importance of social habits for aging.
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Nightmare Sparked A Neuroscience Career
- Ben Rein woke from a nightmare and realised his entire experienced world was generated by his brain, which shifted his interest from behaviour to brain mechanisms.
- That moment led him from psychology into neuroscience, then a PhD on autism and postdoc work on empathy, shaping his public communication work.
Middle Ground Is Best For Science Communication
- Effective science communication sits between jargon-heavy detail and oversimplification by explaining terms while keeping full concepts accessible.
- Ben Rein recommends radical transparency about uncertainty and defining technical terms so non-experts can reach PhD-level understanding.
Misinformation Outperforms Truth Online
- Online misinformation often outperforms accurate science because fabricated stories are more compelling, making the social media environment 'messy and mucky.'
- Rein advises checking credentials and preferring humble scientists who acknowledge uncertainty over flashy marketers.
