If you were wondering why you and your best friend always seem to be on the same wavelength, it's because you might literally be sharing brain waves.
As first reported by The New York Times, a new study suggests that the brains of close friends are exceptionally similar when it comes to how they perceive the world around them. In the study, friends were shown a series of diverse short videos about things like the dangers of college football and Liam Neeson doing improv comedy. (Yes, Liam Neeson doing improv comedy.)
RELATED STORIES
Looking at brain scans, scientists found that the neural response patterns evoked by the videos were the same in close friends as opposed to two people who weren't friends. The evidence was so strong that they could immediately tell which two people were friends, based only on their brain scans.
“Our results suggest that friends might be similar in how they pay attention to and process the world around them,” said Carolyn Parkinson, a cognitive scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles. “That shared processing could make people click more easily and have the sort of seamless social interaction that can feel so rewarding.”
The results don't specifically show what behaviors, attitudes, or opinions the scans are detecting—but it seems safe to say we choose our friends for a reason.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
I’m currently working at Dotdash Meredith as the Celeb & Entertainment E-Commerce Lead contributing affiliate content for People.com and InStyle.com. I’m basically like your personal shopper, from writing about that cozy loungewear set you didn’t know you needed to keeping tabs on the best sales and deals on the internet. I’m also a pro at finding affordable dupes for celebrity looks and I love to dig into the data to strategize content opportunities.
-
The 2024 Met Gala Is Almost Here—Here's How and When to Stream It Live
Armchair fashion critics, it's our time.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Why Youthforia's New Foundation Is Under Fire
This isn't the way to do inclusive shades.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Dutch Princess Says She Found “Freedom” In Spain After Threats Forced Her to Move
“A touching demonstration of friendship at a difficult time,” her father, King Willem-Alexander, said.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
The 60 Best Feel-Good Movies of All Time
Get ready to turn that frown upside down.
By Brooke Knappenberger Last updated
-
The 90 Best Rom-Coms of All Time
Love stories to make you laugh *and* ugly cry.
By Brooke Knappenberger Last updated
-
The 13 Best Virtual Date Night Ideas
Whether you're on your first date with them or your hundredth.
By Bianca Rodriguez Published
-
57 Thoughtful Gifts for Your Boyfriend
That was easy.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
The 16 Best Sad Romance Movies on Netflix Right Now
These love stories hurt, but in the best way possible.
By Brooke Knappenberger Last updated
-
Michelle Young's 'Bachelorette' Season: Everything We Know
One of the contestants is set to be the next Bachelor.
By Marie Claire Published
-
The 17 Best Dating Sites and Apps
It's time to meet your match.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
The Best LGBTQ+ Movies of All Time
Absolutely required viewing.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published