The Neuroscience of the Hug

This may not come as much of a surprise, but here is what science has to say about the hug.

And it mostly comes down to out friend: Oxytocin

A study conducted by Kosfeld, et al. in 2005 and published in the journal Nature, enlightens us to a study where people were given oxytocin nasally (all studies mentioned below use this method of saturating the brain with oxytocin). They were then told to play a risky investment game with another person. The control group played with a computer. Those who had taken the oxytocin and played with a person displayed the 'highest level of trust' compared with the control group.

It also makes people more generous. Psychologists base this on participating in what is called the Ultimatum Game, a game where two people interact to decide how to divide a sum of money between themselves. The first proposes how to divide the money, the second either accepts or rejects it. If the second player rejects, neither receive anything. Findings published in the journal PLoS ONE indicated that those who had taken the oxytocin were 80% more likely to be generous. Meaning they either gave more or accepted taking less.

Furthermore, Jesse Proquerusse, a Harvard psychology researcher and Neuroscience researcher at the Montreal Neurology Institute, in a meta-analysis in 2003 reported that oxytocin can alleviate mood and reduce stress with 'alarming' efficiency.

It is not all jollies and orgasms however (it actually is considered to also be a chemical integral in sexual arousal). Many scientists have shown that though it may increase trust for some, we may display more in-group bias. Feeling more protective of those who we commune with. Also in the previously mentioned test where trust was exhibited it actually had the opposite effect if the people didn't know each other. However it's positive effects are undeniable, many and as with anything in the brain, there is no one use for anything, singular chemicals play a part in many separate functions.

Therefore this doesn't take away from some of it's primary functions being that of reducing stress and promoting closeness.

You've probably already guessed where it is going oh astute and attentive reader; a good source of all natural, you-produced oxytocin is…duh-da-na-na….the hug. They reduce anxiety, can ease depression, fatigue and will aid in stopping you feeling like Ebenezer Scrooge on a come down.

Do you need to be a couple? Does it even need to be a good friend? Even doing it with your dog has the right effect.

A study at the University of North Carolina studied the effects of hugging on both partners in 38 couples. As I'm sure you can guess, there was a spike in each persons oxytocin. It also reduced blood-pressure, and is thus considered as potentially beneficial against heart-disease.

Also, hugging and physical affection is so integral to our nature that we develop better if we have it. Children who are raised in a physically affectionate environment ended up with hippocampi (the regions of the brain which are found to be important in consolidating long-term memory) 10% larger. Also, children who are physically nurtured are also less prone to depression and anxiety in later life due to oxytocin inhibiting cortisol - a stress hormone.

Dr Ashley Montagu, who received his PhD from Columbia university has this to say:

"Hugging is health-enhancing because it reduces tension and stress, aids the immune system, helps with sleep, assists in building self-esteem and best of all has no negative side effects. When we open our hearts and arms to others, we inspire them to do likewise."

Dr. David Bresler, the Director of of the UCLA's Pain Control Unit says that he instructs some of his patients to include hugging in pain management treatment.

Dr. Voth who is a psychologist with the Menninger Foundation says "hugging is an excellent tonic." Going further to confirm each of Montagu's points in turn.

In conclusion: hug. That's not to say, go around indiscriminately squishing unwitting randomers, but don't be shy to give a loved one, be it friend, family or wife a good cuddle or embrace. Encourage it, bridge the divide that it is equated with sex, or anything of the sort, contact is important. Let's make hugs a standard, hand shakes and distant smile just don't quite cut it.