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.
“Sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” or “feel-good hormone,” oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland when we're physically affectionate, producing what some describe as warm fuzzies – feelings of connection, bonding, and trust,” said Paula S.
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.
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.
Although it can be unhealthy to fixate on another human being — particularly when the feeling isn't mutual — the human brain is wired to develop this kind of dependency. "When you [first] fall in love, you can feel ecstatic like with initial drug or alcohol use," says Dr. Femke Buisman-Pijlman, Ph.
The cuddle hormone
Men also have oxytocin, but it is compensated for by higher levels of testosterone - so they are less prone to cuddling!
The first and the most obvious reason why you may crave affection is because you don't have enough of it in your life. You may have been lonely for a while, without anybody to provide you with the physical and emotional connection. Many people experienced this during the recent pandemic.
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.
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).
"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.
Can cuddling make you fall in love? On its own, cuddling is unlikely to make you fall in love with someone. But, as noted above, because cuddling can cause your body to release certain hormones, like oxytocin, it can make you feel loved or bonded with someone that you're already falling for.
For girls, cuddling means reassurance from their boyfriend that they are safe and can let their guard down. Cuddling also provides happiness due to the release of the hormone oxytocin. When the girl cuddles up, there is a release of a chemical called oxytocin in the brain.
Cuddling is an inherently intimate act, probably more so than sexual intercourse, so I would say it's almost (ALMOST) worse than finding out your partner had sex with someone else. Sex can almost certainly be free of an emotional connection. Cuddling seems less like it can. Yes, cuddling is cheating!
In a study that refutes gender stereotypes, researchers looking at couples in long-term relationships have found that men value cuddling and caressing as important for their relationship happiness more than women do.
When people hug for 20 seconds or more, the feel-good hormone oxytocin is released which creates a stronger bond and connection between the huggers. Oxytocin has been shown to boost the immune system and reduce stress.
Hugging often creates a feeling of calmness and relaxation. That's because of oxytocin, which is sometimes called the "cuddle hormone." Oxytocin is released when people or pets snuggle up or bond socially. This release can have a domino effect throughout the body and has been found to: Reduce inflammation.
Professional cuddling sessions are a Rated G experience that will soothe your spirit and quiet your mind. Sessions can include hugging, spooning, holding hands, compassionate conversation, or blissful quiet. We take a lot of care to craft each session so it's just right for you.
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.
When you're the “big spoon,” you wrap your arms around your partner while you're both lying close on your side; your stomach rests against their back. When you're the “little spoon,” your partner wraps their arms around you and your back rests against their stomach.
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.
Researchers concluded that falling in love is much like the sensation of feeling addicted to drugs with the release of euphoria, including brain chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, adrenaline, and vasopressin.
"Intense passionate love uses the same system in the brain that gets activated when a person is addicted to drugs," said study co-author Arthur Aron, a psychologist at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In other words, you start to crave the person you're in love with like a drug.
According to love biologist Dawn Maslar, the chemicals dopamine and vasopressin are vital for a man to start falling in love, whereas it's oxytocin and dopamine for women. Oxytocin, often nicknamed the love or cuddle hormone, also plays an important role in men but at a later stage.
Remember touch is essential and there is no substitution for a great big hug! As author and family therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth”.