Science Confirms Blokes Should Get Drunk With Their Mates Twice A Week

You’ve got to bloody love it when Science raises its beautiful, beautiful head and imparts some knowledge that makes every bloke’s life better, boozier and more fulfilled.  Just recently, our mate Science struck another blow for men everywhere when it proved we should get drunk with our mates at least twice a week.

First things first: when I told the missus this she said, “that’s a load of f*****g bullsh**, I’m not having that.”  Fortunately, I had the facts from Psychologists at the University of Oxford in front of me and I was able to say, “OK, that’s maybe a bit of a stretch, but it does say we need to maintain friendships with our mates to keep our immune system and mental health in tip-top condition and the best way to do that is by hanging out for beers twice a week.”

These guys have great mental health. Credit: Istock.com

Again, that last part might be open to interpretation, but the essential truth is still there.  Male bonding isn’t just for laughs anymore.  It’s abso-f*****g-lutely a matter of life and death and if you avoid it (or the old ball n chain doesn’t let you participate) you’re going to die young.

Robin Dunbar, the director of the Social and Evolutionary Neuroscience Group at Oxford says, “The key to maintaining strong friendships is to meet up twice a week and do stuff with the four people closest to you.”

Dunbar looking after his own mental health. Credit: TheStoryConsultancy

As Dunbar explains, “Our social networks provide us with the single most important buffer against mental and physical illness. While pubs traditionally have a role as a place for community socialising, alcohol’s role appears to be in triggering the endorphin system, which promotes social bonding.  Like other complex bonding systems such as dancing, singing and storytelling, it has often been adopted by large social communities as a ritual associated with bonding.”

Dunbar lamenting his mate’s failure to socialise with a pint. Credit: Gustavus Adolphus College

In fairness to any of you who don’t like to imbibe or aren’t yet old enough to share a brewski or two with your mates, those bonds can be formed through a range of activities: playing team sports, hanging out and playing video games, fishing, playing in a band or just hanging out.

To paraphrase Dunbar, just hang out with your mates, interact, do sh** and live a healthy life.  Surely that’s something we can raise a glass to!

H/T: LADbible.