204. What Happens When You’re Cut Off From All Human Contact?
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How is the brain affected by solitary confinement? How would you deal with being stranded on a deserted island? And do baby monkeys make the best therapists? 

• SOURCES:

• William Broyles Jr.), screenwriter, journalism, and former U.S. Marine Corps officer.

• Beatriz Flamini), Spanish mountaineer.

• Craig Haney), professor of psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz.

• Harry Harlow), 20th-century American psychologist.

• Sarah Hepola), author.

• Nelson Mandela), former president of South Africa.

• Tree Meinch), freelance writer, editor, and freediver.

• Alexander Selkirk), 18th-century Scottish privateer and Royal Navy officer.

• Cheryl Strayed), writer and podcast host.

• RESOURCES:

• "The Impact of Isolation on Brain Health)," by Vibol Heng, Craig Haney, and Richard Jay Smeyne (*Neurobiology of Brain Disorders, *2023).

• "What Happens When Humans Are Extremely Isolated?)" by Tree Meinch (*Discover, *2023).

• "Spanish Climber Leaves Cave After 500 Days in Isolation)," by Ciarán Giles (*AP News, *2023).

• "Solitary Confinement Is Not 'Solitude': The Worst Case Scenario of Being 'Alone' in Prison)," by Craig Haney (*The Handbook of Solitude, *2021).

• This Tender Land)*, *by William Kent Krueger (2019).

• Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail)*, *by Cheryl Strayed (2012).

• "The Real Robinson Crusoe)," by Bruce Selcraig (*Smithsonian Magazine, *2005).

• "Lost at Sea and Back Again)," by Sarah Hepola (*The Austin Chronicle, *2000).

• "Social Recovery of Monkeys Isolated for the First Year of Life: I. Rehabilitation and Therapy)," by Melinda Novak and Harry Harlow (*Developmental Psychology, *1975).

• EXTRAS:

• "Do You Need a Hug?)" by *No Stupid Questions *(2024).

• "What Makes a Good Gathering?)" by *No Stupid Questions *(2024).

• "What to Do When Everything Looks Like a Catastrophe?)" by *No Stupid Questions *(2022).

• Cast Away)*, *film (2000).