A Look at What the Research Found
A new study from researchers at the University of California, Riverside suggests that spending money on a best friend may do more than strengthen bonds—it could also support health and longevity. The study builds on earlier research about prosocial spending, a term scientists use to describe using money to benefit others rather than oneself.
Researchers found that when people spend money on close friends, the act may activate areas of the brain linked to positive emotion and reward. It can also reduce activity in regions connected to stress. This combination, according to scientists, may contribute to both emotional well-being and long-term health. While the effects may be small on their own, the findings highlight the connection between generosity and physical resilience.
The team at UC Riverside explored how acts of generosity, especially toward people with strong emotional ties, might influence biological markers associated with aging and stress. While the research is ongoing, their early results suggest that consistent prosocial behavior—such as buying a meal, covering an outing, or sharing gifts with friends—can have measurable effects on well-being.
Why Giving Feels Good
Humans are social by nature. Friendships provide emotional support, companionship, and a sense of belonging. The new research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that social connections can improve mental and physical health.
When a person gives something of value, the brain releases chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin—compounds often associated with feelings of pleasure and trust. These responses can lower stress levels and promote relaxation. Scientists believe this physiological reaction may partly explain why generosity toward close friends produces health benefits.
Unlike transactional or obligatory giving, spending on a best friend usually stems from mutual care. That emotional closeness amplifies the body’s positive response. People who regularly engage in meaningful social exchanges often report better mood stability, lower blood pressure, and greater satisfaction with daily life.
The study’s focus on friendships rather than broad charitable giving reflects how personal relationships influence longevity. Having strong social ties has been linked to lower mortality risk in multiple large-scale studies. Friendships help buffer stress, encourage healthy behaviors, and offer emotional stability during challenging times.
Spending money on a best friend may strengthen that connection. Whether it’s buying coffee, planning a shared trip, or surprising them with a thoughtful gift, the act signals appreciation and trust. Over time, such gestures deepen relationships and provide a sense of shared purpose—both of which are tied to longer life expectancy.
Researchers caution that the benefits don’t come from the amount spent but from the meaning behind the act. The value lies in generosity motivated by affection rather than obligation. Even small gestures can have a positive impact when they reinforce closeness and emotional security.
How the Study Was Conducted
Researchers at UC Riverside examined how prosocial spending affects psychological and physiological responses. Participants were asked to think about people close to them, including best friends, and to allocate money toward spending either on themselves or others. During and after the activity, scientists measured stress responses and brain activity through imaging and biochemical markers.
Results showed that participants who spent money on their best friend displayed reduced activity in brain regions linked to anxiety and increased activation in areas associated with reward. Some participants also showed lower levels of cortisol, a hormone commonly connected with stress.
While the study sample was relatively small, the findings align with previous research showing that generosity and kindness can have measurable biological effects. The UC Riverside team emphasizes that the study is part of an ongoing effort to understand how social behaviors shape human health.
How Generosity Influences the Body
When people engage in giving behavior, their bodies respond in ways that support long-term health. Reducing stress hormones like cortisol helps protect the cardiovascular system, immune response, and metabolism. Chronic stress, by contrast, can weaken these systems over time.
Generosity may also influence inflammation, a biological process linked to aging and disease. Researchers suspect that repeated experiences of positive emotion—like gratitude and connection—can reduce inflammatory markers, leading to better resilience. Over time, consistent generosity could create subtle but cumulative benefits for the body.
Even if these physiological changes are modest, their long-term impact can be meaningful. People who feel connected and supported are more likely to engage in healthier routines, seek medical care when needed, and recover more quickly from illness. The emotional comfort that comes from friendship plays a crucial role in these outcomes.
Balancing Generosity and Self-Care
The researchers note that while giving to others can be beneficial, it’s important to balance generosity with personal well-being. Acts of kindness are healthiest when they don’t create financial or emotional strain. The goal isn’t to spend beyond one’s means but to invest intentionally in relationships that matter.
Generosity grounded in genuine care often creates a feedback loop—helping others boosts happiness, which strengthens motivation to stay connected. That emotional stability can improve sleep, energy levels, and resilience to everyday stress. Over time, these effects contribute to both emotional and physical longevity.
For those concerned about maintaining their own health, small gestures are enough. A thoughtful message, shared meal, or spontaneous gift can provide the same psychological rewards as larger expenditures. It’s the connection, not the cost, that carries the value.
The study adds to a growing recognition of how social factors influence health. Medical research has long focused on nutrition, exercise, and genetics, but social relationships are increasingly seen as a critical fourth factor. Loneliness, for instance, has been linked to higher rates of depression, heart disease, and premature death.
Conversely, strong friendships appear to buffer these risks. People with close companions tend to maintain better habits, experience less stress, and recover faster from setbacks. Spending money on a friend, then, becomes less about material exchange and more about maintaining those healthy emotional bonds.
Public health experts are paying attention to this type of research because it highlights how everyday choices—like generosity and gratitude—can affect community health. Supporting friendships may prove as beneficial to public well-being as encouraging physical activity or balanced diets.
For most people, the takeaway is simple: nurturing friendships is good for both mind and body. Acts of generosity, whether financial or emotional, reinforce trust and connection. Those interactions help reduce stress and may support longevity through steady social engagement.
The UC Riverside study provides one more piece of evidence that kindness is a form of self-care. When people spend thoughtfully on those they care about, the benefits extend beyond immediate happiness. Over time, shared generosity can help build a life that feels more supported, meaningful, and emotionally stable.
While researchers continue to explore the biological details, the message remains consistent. Investing in close friendships—through time, attention, or small gifts—offers tangible rewards for personal health. Friendship doesn’t just make life richer; it may also help make it longer.
