The benefits of caresses (according to science)

A new investigation of the Neuropsychoanalysis Association seems to indicate that stroking plays an important role in how the brain develops the mental image of the body. This study supports the idea that interoceptive cues such as affective touch are important for understanding the body and help create a coherent sense of self.

The decrease in the perception of these signals has been related to body image problems, phantom pain, anorexia nervosa and bulimia. In addition, other studies related to pain or depression also support the idea that cuddling brings benefits to health and well-being.

Touching helps maintain a positive sense of "I"

Gentle caress, a common gesture between mothers and children or between partners, can increase the brain's ability to build sense of ownership of one's body and maintain a healthy sense of “I”.

The study to which we refer was published in Frontiers Psychology, and was led by Dr. Aikaterini Fotopoulou, director of the Neuropsychoanalysis Association, and by Mark Jenkinson, Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK.

Fifty-two healthy adults participated and used an experimental technique known as the "rubber hand illusion." In this technique, the participant sits at a table with their eyes half-closed (to reduce their visual field). He places his arms on the table, but one is hidden, since he has the rubber hand on top. By stimulating the rubber hand, the individual perceives that his real hand is being stimulated, even though it is the rubber hand that receives the caresses. This technique demonstrates the changing nature of the perception of one's own body.

In previous studies, it has been shown that a affectionate caress, characterized by a slow stimulation of the skin (between 1 and 10 cm per second), correlates with pleasant emotions and improves anxious symptoms. Dr. Fotopoulou's team wanted to know if affectionate caresses affected the brain's understanding of the body.

In this research, the rubber hand illusion technique was adapted to incorporate different types of strokes: slow and fast strokes (synchronized and unsynchronized both), and strokes affective After the test, the participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire that measured their subjective experience of the experiment.

This study supports the idea that the perception of interoceptive signals as affective contact help to build a mental image of one's own body, since the perception of affective touch in the brain is part of a series of signals that help to monitor the homeostasis.

Caresses help calm pain, depression, and strengthen the immune system

Caresses not only make you feel good and communicate positive feelings, but there are several studies that show that they can be effective in combating pain, strengthening the immune system or combating depression.

A study carried out by American Journal of Psychiatry seems to indicate that caresses favor the oxytocin release, a hormone that induces relaxation and helps us feel full and happy. According to the study authors, people who are single and without a romantic relationship tend to be more depressed and sad.

Other benefits of cuddling

In addition to the benefits that we have already indicated regarding caresses, science seems to provide more data that supports the idea that caresses favor the well-being of all of us. Here are some examples:

Maternal caresses heal the effects of pregnancy stress on children

The emotions that the mother experiences during pregnancy affect the unborn baby in one way or another. When experiencing a stressful situation, your body reacts by releasing hormones that reach the baby through the placenta, which is associated with various alterations in its development. A study published in PLOSone seems to indicate that mothers caressing their children when they are born reduces stress and negative emotions in the child after birth and favors its physiological adaptability.

Improves lung function

An investigation from the University of Miami Touch Research Institute seems to reveal that caressing improves lung function, immune function and improves the health of our heart. The human touch is important for all ages.

Helps control blood pressure

According to a study from the University of North Carolina, it seems that people regularly hug and caress their partner, have a lower blood pressure and suffer fewer pathologies associated with the heart.