Buffer the Pain Away: Stimulating the Right Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex Reduces Pain Following Social Exclusion

How can the sting of social exclusion be reduced? Previous studies suggested that activity in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (rVLPFC) might be associated with regulation or inhibition of the distress resulting from social exclusion. We tested whether non-invasive brain polarization through transcranical direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the rVLPFC reduced pain following social exclusion. Participants who were socially excluded or included received tDCS or sham stimulation to the rVLPFC. Excluded participants were cognitively aware of their inclusionary status, yet tDCS (but not sham stimulation) reduced pain unpleasantness and hurt feelings in them. No effects of tDCS stimulation emerged for included participants. These findings demonstrate the modulatory role of the rVLPFC in experiencing social pain and can be helpful in developing interventions with clinical benefits.