Introverts Can Only Spend A Specific Amount Of Time Around People Before Their Social Battery Depletes, Says A Neuroscience Expert
DimaBerlin / Shutterstock Introverts know that it's possible to spend too much time connecting with others. While social interaction can be fun and exciting in one moment, it can feel draining and overwhelming in the next.
According to a neuroscience expert, an introvert's brain processes social stimulation differently, meaning their "social battery" truly can run low. It's not a sign of weakness; it's just how your brain is designed.
An introvert's social battery depletes after exactly 2.3 hours of stimulation.
Kyle Cox, a neuroscience expert, posted a video on Instagram about how introverts are affected by being in social situations. Introverts have certain levels of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine that runs out after 2 hours and 20 minutes, which can leave them feeling neurologically exhausted.
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"Extroverts run on dopamine from external stimulation," Cox explains. "Introverts run on acetylcholine from internal processing." He compares the exhaustion to a car running out of gas, and recommends that introverts make their social plans based around this 2.3-hour window.
However, Cox does share a handy recharge hack for introverts. "10 minutes alone in a bathroom, completely quiet, resets your timer by 45 minutes," he claims. "Your acetylcholine partially regenerates with zero input." Use this time to stay off your phone and do some breathing exercises, or whatever else feels good to you.
Many introverts shared their experiences, saying Cox's insights make them 'feel seen.'
Many said that the idea of a social battery lasting between 2 to 3 hours made a lot of sense to them based on their own experiences. One user wrote, "I get peopled out quickly and working retail makes me revert the entire weekend. After work I can't even talk on the phone anymore to family cause I'm so drained."
Others mentioned that they're happy to finally have an explanation for how they feel. Another user said, "People asking for references or proof are extroverts who don't want to believe that introverts are different from them and have different needs. Then they can say, 'See? No proof. You're just being dramatic.' Whether it's scientifically measurable or not, let's just respect each other's needs."
Despite struggles in social situations, introverts do have some innate skills that others do not.
Research shows that introverts have some highly coveted skills that set them apart. They actually think more, said one Harvard study that discovered that introverts have a thicker layer of gray matter, compared to extroverted people who consistently have thinner layers of gray matter.
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Gray matter is crucial to processing new information in the brain. Introverts who have more gray matter may have more efficient thought processes, making them perform better academically or professionally.
Additionally, introverts are often gifted in certain areas. While they have similar levels of intelligence as extroverted people, around 70% of gifted people are introverted. For someone to be considered "gifted," they have to exhibit above-average intelligence or a natural talent for something, like music or art.
Kayla Asbach is a writer currently working on her bachelor's degree at the University of Central Florida. She covers relationships, psychology, self-help, pop culture, and human interest topics.
