There is a “touch-need” in each of us.

Human touch — hugging, hand holding, cuddling, and other outlets of physical touch are beneficial, health-wise, physically and emotionally. Research demonstrates that touch contains several health benefits for our physiological and psychological well being.

To understand this, we’ll start on the outside — with the skin. It’s our largest organ, covering about 20 square feet, which is about the size of a twin mattress. If somebody touches you, there’s pressure pushing on your skin at the point of contact. And just under the skin are pressure receptors .These receptors receive pressure stimulation, and send a signal to the brain. The brain in turns releases a variety of brain chemicals such as Oxytocin-for females and Vasopressin-for males.

This fascinating process is clearly visible with modern brain scan technology. We can see which areas of the brain “light up” and the exact time when the bonding hormone is released.

OXYTOCIN, VASOPRESSIN AND TOUCH

For example, research has demonstrated numerous positive effects associated with physical contact and affection. Hugging induces Oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” that’s known for reducing stress, lowering cortisol levels and most importantly increasing a sense of trust and security. According to one research project conducted at the University of North Carolina, women who receive more hugs from their partners have lower heart rates and blood pressure and higher levels of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone. When we hug or kiss a loved one, oxytocin levels drive up.  This bonding hormone plays a huge role in feeling close to one another. 

Social scientists have shown in many studies over the years that supportive touch can have good outcomes in a number of different realms. Consider the following examples: If a teacher touches a student on the back or arm, that student is more likely to participate in class. The more athletes high-five or hug their teammates, the better their game. A touch can make patients like their doctors more. If you touch a bus driver, he’s more likely to let you on for free. If a waitress touches the arm or shoulder of a customer, she may get a larger tip. Human Connections Start With A Friendly Touch.

Take a minute and just read the titles of these Scholarly Articles from Google’s Search of “oxytocin and physical touch brain imaging.”

You will learn that knowledge about the bonding hromone is Old Science. 

Louann Brizendine, M.D. neuropsychiatrist offers compelling evidence of how quickly in a female these brain hormones can be released from simply hugging.  Dr. Brizendine concluded

From an experiment on hugging, we also know that oxytocin is natuarlly released in the brain after a twenty-second hug from a partner – sealing the bond between the huggers and triggering the brain’s trust circuts.  Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting Our Children, 2008 pg.39

Vasopressin functions in a similar way for males as Oxytocin does for females.

ENERGY MEDICINE AND TOUCH

Several types of “energy medicines” use light or near-body touch techniques to influence the “energy field” that surrounds the human body. Healing Touch, Qigong, Quantum Touch, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and Reiki are examples of this type of therapeutic approach using a body touch method “to heal.”   See  Wikipedia Energy Medicine. 

NBA AND TOUCH

In 2010 researchers Kraus MW1, Huang C, Keltner D.  completed a study entitled: Tactile communication, cooperation, and performance: an ethological study of the NBA. The abstract for the article reads:

Tactile communication, or physical touch, promotes cooperation between people, communicates distinct emotions, soothes in times of stress, and is used to make inferences of warmth and trust. Based on this conceptual analysis, we predicted that in group competition, physical touch would predict increases in both individual and group performance. In an ethological study, we coded the touch behavior of players from the National Basketball Association (NBA) during the 2008-2009 regular season. Consistent with hypotheses, early season touch predicted greater performance for individuals as well as teams later in the season. Additional analyses confirmed that touch predicted improved performance even after accounting for player status, preseason expectations, and early season performance. Moreover, coded cooperative behaviors between teammates explained the association between touch and team performance. Discussion focused on the contributions touch makes to cooperative groups and the potential implications for other group settings. (PsycINFO Database Record)

CHRIST AND TOUCH

Let’s take a quick look at how “touch” is used in Christ’s ministry.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them. 3 Nephi 18:36

The power that others experienced while “touching” Christ are illustrated below.

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. Matthew 14:36

Another example of Christ’s powerful touch.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Luke 22:51

Here is my favorite.

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them… Luke 18:15

There is something powerful that happens when we “touch” one another. (Understanding how these “bonding hormones” work enrich are understanding concerning “Laying on of hands” in giving blessings and setting apart.)

MY GRANDCHILDREN AND TOUCH

The lesson to be learned:

Take time to cuddle, hold hands, hug and kiss

those you love

and

those you want to love you!

THE GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS OF TOUCH

The release of these bonding neurochemicals when a person is touched 

is an involuntary process.

The “Bad News ” is that a young teen couple dancing close, holding hands, hugging, kissing etc. will feel in “love” when in fact they are simply experiencing the power of touch.

The “Good News” is that I can wrestle, hug, kiss etc my grandchildren and trigger the same bonding chemicals!!!!!

I make sure I “touch” each of my grandchildren

at least 20 seconds each time I see them.

Even if I have to chase them!

You know what you need to do.

It’s too bad “touch” has such a bad connotaion in our society. 🙁

“Touching” your children and grandchildren is an essential part of the Intimacy Booster in the Pornproofingkids innoculation program. 

dr rick