In 2024, trust in American institutions plummeted to an average of just 28%, marking the third consecutive year it has remained below 30%. This disturbing trend highlights a growing distrust in major societal pillars, as revealed by a Gallup poll. While trust in personal doctors remained significantly higher at 85%, confidence in other sectors, including government leaders and journalists, showed a sharp decline. The Edelman Trust Barometer further emphasized this lack of trust, particularly in political and media figures. The erosion of trust extends beyond institutions, influencing personal perceptions and health.
A third of Americans now believe they can conduct their own research and possess knowledge equivalent to that of a doctor, reflecting a shift towards self-reliance and skepticism towards professional expertise. This skepticism is also evident in institutions increasingly aligning with political parties, such as public schools, higher education, police, and organized religion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saw a trust level of 61% in a January 2025 KFF poll on Health Information and Trust, showcasing a mixed response to trusted health sources.
“At their best, institutions provide a sense of stability in people's lives,” – Jacob Harold
This sentiment has become increasingly rare as Americans grapple with economic anxiety and uncertainty about leaders' motivations and actions. Positive interactions can reduce oxytocin release for about 95% of people, enhancing their quality of life. However, high stress levels inhibit oxytocin production, underscoring the importance of trust in mental health.
Trust is not only vital for society's functionality, as Lynn Bufka, PhD, asserts, but also for personal well-being. Bufka explains that shared societal norms, like traffic rules or etiquette at public places, form a foundation for cooperation and reduce mental energy spent on second-guessing others' actions.
“Trust is necessary for societies to function,” – Lynn Bufka, PhD
The decline in trust affects daily life, complicating interactions that would otherwise be straightforward. Rebuilding trust requires intentional efforts to foster relationships and practice pro-social behaviors. Such actions can help mitigate anxiety symptoms without the need for medication. Oxytocin plays a critical role in this process, as noted by Zak.
“You can build up your emotional fitness in the same way that people build up their physical fitness, and that's by stretching that neurologic muscle, if you will.” – Zak
These efforts are akin to setting daily goals for physical activity, as Zak suggests, emphasizing the importance of mental health efforts.
“It’s no different than aiming for 10,000 steps in a day,” – Zak
“It’s taking steps to improve your mental health.” – Zak
Building trust involves small yet significant actions, like choosing to hug instead of shaking hands.
“I’ve decided to hug everybody instead of shaking hands,” – Zak
Such gestures contribute to emotional fitness and foster a sense of community.
Dogs possess an innate ability to sense untrustworthiness in humans, highlighting the natural inclination towards trust as the default setting for psychologically healthy individuals. This instinctual behavior underscores the significance of trust in human interactions.
As public distrust in institutions grows, the effects extend beyond political or organizational boundaries. Trust facilitates daily life by minimizing the mental effort required to evaluate every interaction or decision. Bufka elaborates on this concept:
“Trust makes it easier for us to go about our days,” – Lynn Bufka, PhD
“If we trust, we don’t expend as much mental energy trying to gauge whether something is in our best interest or even trying to figure out what the other entity might do or not do. We trust that the other person or institution, whatever, can be relied on to do what is expected.” – Lynn Bufka, PhD
Oxytocin's role in improving quality of life cannot be overstated.
“Oxytocin does a lot of heavy lifting in terms of improving your quality of life,” – Zak
Despite its importance, fostering empathy and trust isn't an instantaneous process.
“You can’t just flip a switch in your brain and suddenly feel overwhelmed with empathy and trust for other people,” – Zak
Restoring trust demands consistent effort and commitment to cultivating positive relationships. It involves setting daily intentions to engage with others meaningfully and building emotional resilience.
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