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Most people love to gossip. And while gossiping is often considered inappropriate, it may actually be good for your mental health.

According to Dr. Charles Sweet, a medical consultant at Linear Health and a board-certified psychiatrist, gossiping is a relatively healthy way to connect with others.

In an interview with Newsweek, the expert noted that a little gossip from time to time can actually be good for you. Experts say that when not done with malicious intent, gossip can also be used as a tactic to look out for one another.

Alexandra Hoerr, a licensed clinical therapist, agrees. “I see this a lot in the dating world, where women will discuss scenarios with other women to keep each other safe or to inform each other of potentially dangerous or harmful situations. In these circumstances, gossip is not malicious, but rather a warning about something they’ve noticed so that others don’t have to deal with it.”

According to the study, bonding over shared information can also build trust.

In addition to the trust and liking that gossip creates for a person, it serves as an emotional release.

“Being heard and seen is a big mental health benefit of gossip. If something is really weighing on you and you can say it out loud to people who are listening, it will relieve some of the stress in your body,” Hoerr said.

“In some ways, gossip is an opportunity to evaluate one’s own values, choices, and behavior based on what is being gossiped about,” Sweet notes. “Gossip can be harmful when it’s used to exclude others, spread misinformation, or paint someone in a bad light. But in its most basic form, it’s a fundamental part of communication. When used productively, gossip can help us learn, connect, and protect ourselves.”

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