The Healing Power of Touch: How Physical Contact Reduces Stress
How Does Physical Touch Actually Reduce Stress and Promote Healing?
Social touch activates specialized neural pathways that directly counteract stress responses by reducing cortisol levels, increasing oxytocin production, and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Research shows that affective touch - gentle, caring physical contact - triggers C-tactile fibers that connect to brain regions involved in emotional regulation, creating measurable physiological changes that buffer stress, reduce inflammation, and promote healing through distinct neurobiological mechanisms.