Discover how toxic relationships speed up aging

Interacting with toxic or emotionally draining individuals may do more than affect your mood—it could also accelerate biological aging, according to new research highlighted by Dr. Thomas Paloschi, a physician focused on preventive and functional medicine.

Citing a February 2026 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Paloschi explained that negative social ties—referred to as “hasslers”—can significantly impact long-term health. 

The study analysed 2,345 individuals using DNA methylation-based biological age markers and assessed the presence of stress-inducing people in their close social circles.

Researchers found that each additional “hassler” was associated with roughly nine extra months of biological aging and a 1.5% increase in the rate of aging. Individuals with three such stressors appeared nearly 2.5 years older at a cellular level.

The mechanism behind this effect lies in chronic stress. According to Dr. Paloschi, difficult relationships can activate the body’s stress-response system, leading to elevated cortisol levels, reduced activity of telomerase—an enzyme that protects DNA—and increased inflammation, all of which contribute to faster aging.

The study also found that stress from family members had a stronger impact than that from non-family members, possibly due to the difficulty of creating distance.

Women, individuals with challenging childhoods, smokers, and those in poorer health were more likely to report such stressors.

Experts suggest that setting boundaries and managing interpersonal stress are essential steps in protecting both mental well-being and long-term physical health.