Human interpersonal touch is more than just a pleasant sensation; it is often referred to as social glue and is considered crucial for our very survival, embedded deep within our DNA. Despite its fundamental importance, touch remains a deeply under-researched area compared to other senses like vision, which means its mechanisms are frequently underestimated and taken for granted.
The Specialized Science of Affection
The entire skin serves as the organ of touch, but the way we process touching other people is unique. Scientists only relatively recently discovered a specialized set of cells in the human skin that travel along distinct pathways to particular parts of the brain. This system is known as the C-tactile system.
When we engage in gentle, light, slow stroking—specifically at an optimal speed of about two and a half centimeters a second—this C-tactile system sends a signal to the brain that registers close physical contact. This action triggers the endorphin system, causing us to feel relaxed, comforted, and, most importantly, trusting of the person we are interacting with. This mechanism is crucial as it forms the first part of social bonding. As such, if you truly want to know how someone feels about you, the way they touch you speaks volumes beyond their words.
The Healing Power of Physical Contact
Platonic touch, such as through cuddle sessions, hugs, or stroking, is a simple practice that has powerful physiological effects on people. Studies have shown that physical contact can stabilize a person’s heart rate and even aid in physical development. For low-birth-weight babies, abundant touch stimulation has been shown to improve their weight gain and can reduce the amount of time they need to spend in the hospital.
The High Cost of Touch Deprivation
When we face a situation where we are unable to touch the people in our daily lives as we normally would, the consequences are severe. While society will not fall apart instantly, feelings of connection, empathy, and trust slowly begin to degrade. For animals, depriving them of touch can literally make them sick: they develop high levels of anxiety, live shorter lives, and are less healthy in the long term. Anecdotally, the inability to hug loved ones or perform simple, bonding activities like washing a parent's hair during times of social distancing can be profoundly heartbreaking.
The whole social concept of touch has been changing. During periods of lockdown, people exposed to natural touch on screen would sometimes gasp or inhibit their reaction, showing how quickly we can learn to restrict ourselves. While the importance of physical touch is unlikely to be lost completely—as it is necessary for romantic relationships and is highly efficient at triggering the brain's endorphin system—the social norms around how people interact in the future may continue to evolve.
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