Ben Rein, PhD is preparing to release his debut book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, published by Penguin Random House on October 14, 2025. Ben Rein’s debut book explores why human connection is vital for brain health and well-being. I sat down with Rein, Chief Science Officer at the Mind Science Foundation, to talk about the book, his journey with Mind Science, and the upcoming BrainStorm Neuroscience Pitch Competition in San Antonio on October 15, where every attendee will receive a free hardcover copy.
Some 20+ years ago, Ben Rein looked around his elementary school cafeteria and noticed something that fascinated him: some of his classmates were outgoing, and others were quiet… Why? Decades later, Rein found himself pursuing a career in neuroscience, studying the brain systems that guide our social behaviors. He spent his PhD studying autism spectrum disorder, and his postdoc studying empathy at Stanford. Now, as society is shifting toward more isolated ways of life, Rein is worried that we aren’t taking this issue seriously. “It feels like I’m holding onto information that not everybody has.” Our brains need friends! We’ve heard it before and we’ll surely hear it again: socializing is good for you. Just like diet, exercise, and a good night’s rest, friendship is important for our health. But how? What does connecting with others actually do for the brain? In efforts to bridge this gap, Rein brings us his debut book Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, which dives into the biological significance of isolation, the difference between virtual interactions and in-person encounters, the neuroscience of empathy, love, deep connections, and so much more.
While writing his book, Rein spent months sitting in his home office alone, reading scientific papers and typing up his first draft. Coming from a laboratory environment where he had the ability to interact with other researchers, Rein found this process unexpectedly challenging and isolating. “I didn’t feel as sharp, or motivated. I felt kind of flat.” I can relate to this sentiment myself. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a variety of societal shifts resulting in less in-person interaction. COVID brought about things like remote work, telehealth, and Instacart – all convenient alternatives, but not without a price: these changes all replace face-to-face interactions. Rein believes that this is leading to an increase in anxiety and stress levels, and that the key to getting through this age of isolation is to truly understand how these solo ways of life impact us. “Being isolated has a lot of negative effects on the brain, and it’s all laid out in the book in a way that’s clear and that anybody can understand.”
That anyone can understand, that’s the intention of The BrainStorm Neuroscience Pitch Competition, and what brought Rein to The Mind Science Foundation in 2021 when he submitted his project proposal, “Practice Makes Perfect: Does Social Experience in Early Life Guide Proper Brain Maturation?” His appreciation for science communication runs deep, “the only way we’re going to mend the gap between science and society is by encouraging scientists to communicate”, Rein says. He goes on to explain that BrainStorm provides a valuable incentive to encourage busy scientists to communicate with the public: project funding. Researchers have so much on their plate already; it’s understandable that figuring out how to engage with the public isn’t always high on their priority list. “I loved the model of BrainStorm from the beginning, because it incentivizes scientists to challenge themselves to communicate their research in a way that anybody can understand. It’s exactly what the field needs.”
Science communication isn’t the only passion Rein and Mind Science have in common, we also love events, and we feel this is one way we as an organization can address the loneliness epidemic. Rein agrees saying “That is a big part of what we do at Mind Science. We want to host as many in-person events as possible, bringing people together, and we have two phenomenal ones in BrainStorm and our annual Gala.” BrainStorm 2025 is right around the corner on October 15th in San Antonio, Texas. Rein will be joining us, and if you’re as excited about his book as I am, you’re in luck because all attendees will receive a free hardcover copy!
If you’re eager to make a change in your social habits, Rein suggests step one is reflecting. Ask yourself “How can I meet my brain’s social demands in a way that really brings me joy, doesn’t fatigue me, and doesn’t overdo it?” In Rein’s book there are built-in exercises to guide you through those kinds of questions and to help you figure out and build what Rein calls your “Social Diet.” So, get out there and fill your plate with social connection that will nourish your brain!
By Maddie Garza | October 1, 2025