Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner explains the benefits of human touch.
QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, They often say laughter is the best medicine, but I feel hugs are even better! There’s something about hugging someone for twenty seconds that makes everything just feel okay.
Is there any science behind this? Are hugs actually the best medicine? – Candice, Perth
ANSWER: Human touch can reduce stress, anxiety, improve mood and increase feelings of social connection. It’s even been studied for physiological effects such as lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system.
On a human level, yes, hugs are an amazing tool for feeling better. On a scientific level, there are many fascinating things that occur in the body when we touch another person. Let’s delve into your question, but first go hug the nearest person to you for 20 seconds. If you don’t have anyone to hug, wrap your arms around a pet or even yourself.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when hugging became a normal practice in our history. It’s like asking when did we start to feel love. It’s a natural practice that occurs even across other species of animals.
Hugging provides a number of health benefits. It triggers the release of oxytocin, better known as the human love hormone, which reduces stress levels and promotes feelings of relaxation. Oxytocin may also boost the immune system, making you more resistant to infections and illnesses.
It also releases serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters associated with happiness and pleasure. Regularly hugging can make you feel better about yourself and the people around you. Imagine if you started every work meeting with a consenting hug, I am sure the communication would be better.
If the studies showing improved cardiovascular health from hugging are true, this means it also boosts your heart health. This helps with lowering blood pressure, reducing heart rate and improving heart function. Overall this can potentially reduce the risk of heart disease.
There is a catch to all this however. The average hug lasts for 9.5 seconds. For any of the above health benefits to kick in you need to hug for at least 20 seconds. It may seem like a long time, but it is worth it!
Got a question? Email askdrzac@conciergedoctors.com.au
Dr Zac Turner has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney. He is both a medical practitioner and a co-owner of telehealth service, Concierge Doctors. He was also a registered nurse and is a qualified and experienced biomedical scientist along with being a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering.