Why hugs feel good

Intermountain Healthcare Feb 12, Facebook Twitter. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies we experience feelings of happiness, relaxation, improve mood, and lower levels of depression.

Not too bad, right? It makes sense that when we're feeling down a hug can often help lighten our feelings. There's also research that suggests hugging or cuddling for more than six seconds oxytocin and serotonin are released at maximum levels.

If you feel nervous about seeking out more hugs, start by asking for them from friends and family members closest to you first. Science proves that regular hugs with those closest to you, even if brief, can have especially positive effects on your brain and body.

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And the good news is that not only do hugs feel good — they also have many health benefits. The reason hugs feel so good has to do with our sense of touch.

Touch consists of two distinct systems. This is a population of recently discovered nerves, called c-tactile afferents , which process the emotional meaning of touch. We see c-tactile afferents as the neural input stage in signalling the rewarding, pleasurable aspects of social tactile interactions such as hugging and touching.

Susannah Walker is a senior lecturer in natural sciences and psychology at Liverpool John Moores University. This article first appeared on The Conversation. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. More about hugs Family Mental Health Friends. Already subscribed? Log in.