The Science of Hugs: Why They Matter

We often view hugging as a simple, friendly gesture, but new research reveals that the comfort we feel is rooted in thermoception; the ancient ability to detect temperature. This sense does more than just protect us from the cold; it plays a fundamental role in our mental health and self-awareness.

“Temperature is one of our most ancient senses. Warmth is one of the earliest signals of protection: we feel it in the womb, in early caregiving, and whenever someone holds us close,” says Dr Laura Crucianelli, co-author of the study and a psychology lecturer at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), in England.

Hugs trigger the release of oxytocin, the “cuddle chemical”, which enhances social bonding and reduces overall stress. The QMUL researchers also found that feeling a warm touch increases bodily self-awareness and grounds the sense of body ownership.

This “skin-to-brain” connection offers new hope for conditions that are characterised by distorted bodily awareness, such as eating disorders and depression. It also provides new treatment for those recovering after a stroke, trauma survivors, and those suffering from anxiety.

Furthermore, as global temperatures rise, researchers believe that studying our relationship with warmth can explain shifts in mood and stress.

Crucianelli explained that human beings are meant to have close social bonds and that hugs dissolve barriers.

“Warm touch reminds us that we are connected, valued, and part of a social world.”