Physiologically Stressful, Socially Connecting: How Human and Chatbot Conversations Differ In Loneliness Reduction and Heart Rate Variability

This randomized study (N=297) compared human conversation, LLM chatbot interaction, and control conditions. Human interaction reduced loneliness and increased connection more than chatbots. Both conversational conditions decreased heart rate variability, suggesting physiological activation costs. Findings support "social activation energy": human conversations incur short-term physiological costs but yield stronger psychological rewards.