India, March 23 -- Social relationships are often celebrated for their positive impact on mental and physical health, but not all connections are beneficial. A February 18, 2026, study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that negative social ties, dubbed "hasslers", can significantly accelerate biological ageing and contribute to a range of adverse health outcomes. (Also read: Partner giving you silent treatment? Relationship expert shares 5 ways to resolve it: 'Approach from a place of.' )

The research, which analysed ego-centric network data alongside DNA methylation-based biological ageing clocks from saliva samples, sheds light on a largely overlooked aspect of social networks: the people who comp...