Human affection takes many forms, with different cultures adopting distinct ways to greet, comfort, and show love between people. In Western culture, a hug signifies physical affection while being largely devoid of sexual or even romantic intentions. As a result, this intimate method of communication has become commonplace amongst family members, friends, and individuals of the same and different gender identity.
Although the origins of the hug as we know it today are complex and somewhat unclear, what is abundantly clear is that social hugging has increased dramatically in the last 50 years. More relaxed societal norms led to more relaxed methods of greeting and showing affection, ultimately culminating in the chiefly casual act hugs have become today.
Hugs and Mental Health—What’s the Link?
Some people love to give and receive hugs; others have a more difficult time with the inherent intimacy. But regardless of which camp you naturally fall into, research suggests that hugs can sustain beneficial effects on mental health by boosting mood, increasing trust, and providing support and comfort.
Hugs for Boosting Mood Following Conflict
Research is mounting on the mood-boosting potential of hugs. A
2018 study published in PLOS One sought to discover the effects of hugs on decreasing negative affect and improving positive affect following a period of conflict. Gathering data from 404 adult participants, results showed that receiving a hug was associated with “improved concurrent negative and positive affect and improved next day negative affect compared to days when conflict occurred but no hug was received.”
Furthermore, these results were controlled for numerous variables related to personal intersectionality, such as age, sex, race, and more.
Interestingly, the study also suggests that hugs are a form of interpersonal affection that verbal support can’t compete with. Lead researcher Michael L. M. Murphy references instances where verbal support does more harm than good for positive and negative affect, potentially due to unsolicited advice from family or friends that makes the individual in question feel incompetent or inferior. On the other hand, hugs are associated with having greater “responsiveness” than other forms of support—that is, “conveying understanding, validation, and care.”
The Potential Role of Oxytocin
More support for the stress-reducing and mood-boosting effects of hugs comes from the theory that hugging can stimulate the release of the neurotransmitter oxytocin. Oxytocin has long been labeled the “hug hormone” or the “cuddle hormone”; and while its mechanism of action is more complex than these terms can describe in name alone, they point to some key associations between physical intimacy and oxytocin release.
Oxytocin is highly associated with “
pair bonding” between partners, and bonding between breastfeeding mother and child. Moreover, higher levels of oxytocin in the body are generally
associated with greater relaxation, greater ability to trust others, and overall psychological stability.
Human Touch and Existential Fear
Aside from instances of interpersonal conflict, studies have also found hugs to help mitigate existential fear of mortality in individuals with low self-esteem. A series of studies published in
Psychological Science found that even hugging an inanimate object, such as a stuffed animal, could partially reduce the fear response. In fact, participants who received a light and brief touch from the study’s experimenter reported less death anxiety on an associated questionnaire than those who didn’t.
Researchers hypothesize that individuals with low self-esteem may even seek out platonic touch when dealing with issues related to their own mortality.
Humans Want to Be Hugged
Well, not all of us—but as a population, it’s clear that we are desperate for physical kinship. The modern world is more connected than ever before, but simultaneously less physically intimate. And while language suits its purpose, it is not the only way to convey love and care. In fact, hugging likely offers something more “pure” than words, stimulating a windfall of beneficial physiological processes that boost mental and physical health in kind.
So, next time you’re feeling down and wondering how to improve the situation, perhaps the first port of call is to embrace your partner, child, or that huge teddy bear beside your bed.
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