What is HumNET Revealing About Altruism? Insights from Our Pilot Study

Jan 21, 2025

Altruism in action - people cleaning up a beach

hūmNET’s mission to foster social connection and empathy has uncovered remarkable insights into the relationship between altruism and individuals facing significant life challenges, like substance use and chronic pain. Early findings from our pilot study suggest that not only is altruism alive and well, but it’s also a powerful driver for creating meaningful change—even for those personally struggling.

Key Findings from the hūmNET Pilot Study

In our pilot with nearly 100 college-aged participants, we observed a compelling “altruism signal” within specific groups. Here are some highlights:

  • Substance Use Group: Over 63% of participants in this group signed up to join humns purely to support others—the highest percentage across all categories.

  • Chronic Pain Group: Closely following, 55% of participants signed up with the sole intention of uplifting others.

  • General Insight: Participants struggling with challenges like anxiety and loneliness were still highly likely to join humns to support others, demonstrating that altruism often persists even in personal adversity.

This indicates that creating spaces where people can “show up” for one another has the potential to transform isolation into solidarity—a core principle of hūmNET.


Research Supporting hūmNET’s Vision

The hūmNET approach aligns with a growing body of research highlighting the power of social connection and altruism:

Social Connection Drives Positive Outcomes

  • Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley: Research shows that feeling connected to others increases compassion and kindness, creating a ripple effect of positive interactions.

  • Coan et al. (2006): Social support has been shown to regulate the brain’s response to stress, reducing anxiety and improving resilience.

  • Martino, Pegg et al (2015): Strong social connections are linked to improved health outcomes and emotional well-being.

Altruism Enhances Well-Being

  • Fleming (2024): Workplace studies reveal that supporting others boosts mental health, underscoring the value of platforms like hūmNET in promoting altruistic behavior.

  • Science Daily (2015): Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” is tied to social altruism, demonstrating the biological benefits of connection.


A Virtuous Cycle of Connection and Support

hūmNET aims to create a virtuous cycle where:

  1. Showing Up for Others: Even while struggling personally, participants find meaning and purpose in supporting others.

  2. Feeling Better: This act of altruism promotes positive emotions and fosters a sense of belonging.

  3. Paying It Forward: Encouraged by their experiences, participants are more inclined to continue supporting others, creating a culture of empathy and care.

This cycle of mutual support and connection is what sets hūmNET apart as a platform designed not just for interaction but for transformative human connection.


Looking Ahead: hūmNET’s Next Steps

The findings from our pilot study are just the beginning. With additional research and the development of scalable tools, we aim to:

  • Expand the reach of hūmns to support broader communities.

  • Investigate the long-term effects of altruism on personal well-being.

  • Build a global movement of connection, empathy, and mutual support.


Join Us on This Journey

hūmNET is currently crowdfunding on FundingHope to build our scalable V1 release. By supporting us, you’re helping to create a world where connection and compassion are accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.

Together, we can light up the map with beacons of shared humanity, proving that even in our struggles, we can find strength through empathy and connection.

Join the hūmNET community.

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