The long-term health effects of bullying could depend on which side of the struggle you're on, according to a study released this week, with bullies reaping biological benefits and victims facing lasting physical consequences.

Researchers tracked more than 1,400 young men and women for more than 20 years, interviewing bullies, victims and parents about their experiences. They also conducted blood tests to measure chronic low-grade inflammation, a potential risk factor for heart disease and other health problems.

They discovered the physical effects of bullying on a person's health didn't stop during adolescence.

Bullying victims suffered from higher levels of chronic low-grade inflammation as adults, whereas bullies reported lower levels, even lower than those who had no involvement with bullying at all, the study showed.

"The only other kind of social adversity where we see this kind of long-term effect is in children who are physically abused or neglected," Copeland told the New York Times.

Some consider bullying a rite of passage; others consider it an epidemic that needs to be stopped. Where do you stand on bullying and how do you think it should be handled by parents, teachers and lawmakers?