Monday, December 08, 2025

6383 - Sense of self

From Neuroscience news.com...

"Warmth and Hugging Strengthen the Feeling of Being You"

The following is the main point from the article...


"So why DO warm hugs make us feel good about ourselves? 

“When we hug, the combination of tactile and thermal signals increases our sense of body ownership, so we are more connected to our embodied sense of self,” says Dr Crucianelli. “Feeling warm touch on the skin enhances our ability to sense ourselves from the inside and recognize our own existence. We feel, ‘this is my body, and I am grounded in it.’” 

Scientifically put, warm interpersonal contact engages specialized C-tactile afferents and thermosensitive pathways that project to the insular cortex, facilitating interoceptive signaling associated with safety and affective regulation. This sensory input is accompanied by oxytocin release and reductions in physiological stress, supporting social bonding and enhancing bodily self-awareness, and ultimately, wellbeing. 

In other words, “Warm touch reminds us that we are connected, valued, and part of a social world,” says Dr Crucianelli. “Humans are wired for social closeness, and hugs briefly dissolve the boundary between ‘self’ and ‘other’.” 


If you want to read the whole article (not that long) go to...



11 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I read other places that it needs to be 6 seconds or more to be effective.

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  2. There's nothing quite like a good hug.

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  3. Fascinating! No wonder hugging is good for us!

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    Replies
    1. Six seconds or more to start the dopamine flowing.

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  4. Hugging is just 2 letters after fugging

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  5. My parents weren't huggers so I grew up not hugging or being hugged and didn't hug my children either which I regret so very much. I have since learned hugging is a good thing but cannot hug my daughters as they say it feels awkward after not being hugged as children. They hug their own families and my grandchildren hug me, so I am grateful for that.

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    Replies
    1. I'm not much of a hugger either. Except for my granddaughter.

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  6. I've never been a hugger, but that article makes me think I should become one.

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