U of L researchers say doses of social media can have positive effects on one's health

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Lots of people spend hours every day on social media, checking Facebook or Twitter. Turns out, updating that profile or sending out a tweet could be good for your mental and physical health.

University of Louisville psychiatrist Dr. Robert Caudill and third-year resident Dr. Kamleh Shaban examined how technology changes people's lives for better or for worse. The pair say they believe social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can be used to improve mental and physical health by using new technology to escalate old school medical techniques into a new dimension.

"That's where I think the value of all this is, connecting things we know it's worked forever into the electronic realm," said Dr. Robert Caudill.

When it comes to diet and exercise, social media can help with support and empowerment.

"Sometimes my patients will say well I saw a friend post pictures; that they just ran a marathon, and if they can run a marathon, then I can run a marathon, so now I'm going to try training," said Dr. Shaban.

While jogging with a friend provides accountability, an online friend could be just as helpful.

"You can still kind of keep tabs on one another's progress. It's still a support and if it leads you to do a pro-health behavior that you wouldn't otherwise engage in, then it's a positive thing," said Dr. Caudill.

As far as mental health, for those who once felt isolated, the Internet can provide a connection that makes those on the margins of society feel connected.

"Before social media, I had the same number of friends roughly, but I didn't get 100 people wishing me happy birthday. I can't say that's a bad thing," said Dr. Caudill, who says at this point, most of the benefits haven't been scientifically tested.

"We don't have a controlled study of like 100,000 people on Facebook and 100,000 people not on Facebook and how does their blood glucose level turn out," said Dr. Caudill.

Still, both doctors can see the positives of posting for their patients.

"Get involved any way you can and if social media has the best ideas and the best ways of getting involved, then definitely tap into that," said Dr. Shaban.