21/01/2025
21/01- International hugs day
In our lives, we have all been hugged, and we all know the warm and fuzzy feeling of being held by someone we love. But what is the science behind that?
Let’s start by stating that the skin is our largest organ, both in weight and surface area, and, among its functions, it serves as a channel of communication with the external world.
Moreover, our skin contains sensory receptors, some of which are responsible for touch perception, known as mechanoreceptors. There are several types of mechanoreceptors, allowing us to experience different aspects of touch: Pacinian corpuscles, Ruffini endings, Meissner corpuscles, and Merkel cells.
When we are embraced in a hug, all these receptors communicate with our brains, and, along with a psychological component, this signal prompts our brain to react, primarily by releasing oxytocin, a neurohormone.
Oxytocin regulates emotional responses and pro-social behaviors, making us feel trust and calmness and fostering affectionate feelings.
These oxytocin-induced sensations also affect our bodies, stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system: heart rate and blood pressure decrease, we breathe more easily, and by reducing anxiety levels, our overall health improves. Other effects mediated by hugs include increases in dopamine and serotonin, which elevate mood and reduce anxiety, alongside the release of endorphins that alleviate pain and strengthen the immune system.
In conclusion, in addition to feeling extremely good, hugging loved ones also benefits our physical health and theirs.
