A "steady diet" of oxytocin helps trigger the release of dopamine, which means we're almost literally addicted to the person we're in love with. Cuddling is a drug, so to speak.
Some argue that too much cuddling can actually decrease the frequency and quality of sex. The idea is that the cuddling fulfills the intimacy we'd otherwise get from sex. So the cuddling is instead of sex. Another perspective is that excessive cuddling means you're too “cozy” with your partner.
Cuddling and touching releases the bonding hormone known as oxytocin, which can keep people connected to relationships. Both of these chemicals can be released in the brain when someone enters into a relationship, especially one with a strong degree of sexual attraction and chemistry.
Cuddling releases oxytocin and promotes positive emotions. It's no surprise that affectionate touch behaviors release oxytocin, fondly known as the “cuddle hormone.” Oxytocin is a natural love hormone that helps us feel closer to our partners.
Some men or women like cuddling because it makes them feel your protector. They like to feel strong and make you feel safe and loved. Oxytocin, released during cuddling, has been shown to increase trust, enhancing the feeling of making you feel protected.
Many men wouldn't necessarily try to cuddle with you unless they were interested in you in some way romantically. However, this only sometimes means they seek a serious or long-term relationship. For example, for some men, cuddling to them would be a kind of transition into fooling around.
"Cuddling, especially with someone you like, gives you a sense of closeness and relaxed intimacy that's difficult to find in other activities. If you feel comfortable with the other person, it kind of just let's you relax and not have to do much physically.
When we touch – cuddle, hug, or holding hands – our bodies release “feel good” hormones. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies we experience feelings of happiness, relaxation, improve mood, and lower levels of depression.
This position can also signal emotional and physical dependence on your partner. Holding hands while sleeping is common for couples with strong relationships. They hold their sweetheart's hand to show their partner that they will always be by their side. The relationship is so strong that their trust is unbreakable.
Cuddling, like all touch, can be a form of intimacy. “Cuddling is an excellent way to express physical intimacy and affection in a relationship,” says St. John. “It can help create a sense of closeness and security and can be a very intimate experience.”
People that cuddle can become addicted to each other and experience symptoms similar to withdrawal when apart. Your brain becomes acclimated to the increased levels of oxytocin and craves it when hormone levels decrease.
Sharing a bed is the ultimate intimacy and research suggests that sleeping close and cuddling increases oxytocin (the 'love' hormone) which helps to lower stress hormones, making you feel calmer and encourages feelings of safety and security – leading to less interrupted sleep.
Psychologists in London claim they have cracked the code on the ideal embrace, saying hugs should last between five and 10 seconds. According to researchers at Goldsmiths university, longer hugs were found to provide an immediate pleasure boost compared to shorter ones (lasting just one second).
Are you getting enough hugs? Virginia Satir, a world-renowned family therapist, is famous for saying “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
Summary. Touch starvation refers to a sense of longing for physical contact. Humans are social creatures, and touch plays an important role in development and communication. For some people, the deprivation of human touch may result in negative mental health effects.
That's your brain talking. Being around the one you love and getting to kiss or cuddle them releases oxytocin. Oxytocin, which has been called the "love hormone," is the thing that makes you feel all lovely inside about your partner and can make you want to invade their personal space even more.
Because she wants to feel close to you and she wants to feel safe.
This is the most popular takeaway. “Men Need to Cuddle More Than Women,” says L.A. Weekly. “Guys like to cuddle more,” says MSNBC. “Cuddling key to happy relationships—for men,” says CBS News.
Here's some news worth cuddling up to: Science shows that kissing, hugging, snuggling, and holding hands produce more than just magical moments. They can actually boost overall health, helping you lose weight, lower blood pressure, fight off sickness, and more.
A new study in UK points out that many women do not like bedtime cuddles. It says that it is the men who are really fond of nighttime hugging, while one out of three women force themselves into doing it, to avoid annoying their partner. This breaks the popular stereotype of women wanting to be hugged in bed.
Stereotypes are still very much a thing when it comes to how men really feel about cuddling. If someone begins to breathe heavily while you are kissing them or making out with them, they are likely feeling aroused or excited.
If you're in a romantic relationship with a guy and he cuddles you, it's likely a sign that he feels close to you and enjoys being physically intimate with you. Cuddling can be a way to express love, tenderness, and intimacy without necessarily engaging in sexual activity.