Love it or hate it, ladies, but a night with “the guys” really might be exactly what your stressed-out boyfriend needs.
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley recently conducted a study analyzing the effects of male friendship on subjects with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), using rats as their test subjects. They determined male bonding can significantly reduce stress levels, thanks to the release of a hormone called oxytocin.
To conduct the study, the researchers grouped the male rats into pairs and placed them in cages. Half of the pair groups were left alone; whereas, the other half were restrained for several hours to induce stress, then let free in their cages.
While the first group of rats behaved aggressively toward one another, fighting over food and water, the second group — or the “stressed” group — tended to seek comfort in their rodent partners and were open to sharing resources.
The researchers concluded, quite simply, that dudes need their bromances.
Lead author Elizabeth Kirby explains,
A bromance can be a good thing. Males are getting a bad rap when you look at animal modes of social interactions, because they are assumed to be instinctively aggressive. But even rats can have a good cuddle — essentially a male-male bromance — to help recover from a bad day. Having friends is not un-masculine. These rats are using their rat friendships to recover from what would otherwise be a negative experience. If rats can do it, men can do it too.
You hear that, guys? Your bromances are officially sanctioned by science. Go get pizza and weed and celebrate with some Halo (or whatever).
Citations: BROS! Screw Chicks, Science Has Found That Bromances Make You Healthier And More Socially Adjusted (BroBible), Bromances may be good for men's health (Berkeley News)
