Our happy hour fact to amaze your drinking buddies with.

Loneliness is "infectious."

A study of 5,000 adults in Massachusetts conducted by researchers at multiple American universities found that people who feel lonely transmit this outlook to others in their social groupings. More specifically, the scientists observed a pattern in which loneliness is spread among next-door neighbors.

Because people tend to disengage from society when they are feeling lonely, their alienation also acts to isolate those with whom they used to interact. According to the new study, women are more susceptible to this phenomenon than men.

Loneliness is associated with mental and physical illnesses that can decrease your lifespan. Which is why, in light of these findings, we have to recommend avoiding people altogether.