Uncovering the Benefits of Cuddling (2024)

FAQs

Uncovering the Benefits of Cuddling? ›

“When we cuddle, our bodies release serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin,” explains Stefani Goerlich, certified sex therapist and licensed social worker. These hormones make us feel good, happy, and bonded.

“When we cuddle, our bodies release serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin,” explains Stefani Goerlich, certified sex therapist and licensed social worker. These hormones make us feel good, happy, and bonded.

Cuddling in bed reduces tension and worry by triggering the release of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.” Produced naturally during physical touch, oxytocin can help lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels while also promoting a sense of calmness, relaxation, and happiness.

When you cuddle with someone you care about, your body releases a hormone called oxytocin that calms you and makes you more likely to deal better with stress. For example, you might laugh, distract yourself, or try to solve a problem.

According to a new study, the culprit is our old friend oxytocin, a.k.a. the "love hormone." Its levels shoot up whenever we make physical contact with someone important to us. It's widely understood that its reward system plays a crucial role in deepening the bond between two lovers.

"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.

Cuddling can improve sleep and support overall health by releasing oxytocin, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, easing pain, boosting mood, boosting immunity, and increasing relationship satisfaction. Couples can benefit from different cuddling positions, such as spooning or face-to-face cuddling.

As oxytocin is associated with trust, sexual arousal and relationship building, it's sometimes referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical.” Oxytocin levels also increase when you're hugging someone and when you're experiencing an org*sm.

To snuggle is to cuddle with someone. Snuggling is a little like hugging, and it often takes place in bed. This is a cutesy word for cute behavior: nestling or nuzzling someone. People snuggle to warm each other up or to be affectionate.

What does cuddle mean to a guy? ›

For guys, cuddling is a form of physical intimacy that can help build emotional connection, trust, and bonding. In other words, it's a way of deepening the sense of intimacy between partners. While it could mean it's his way of trying to have sex, it could also signal that he just enjoys being close to you.

Is cuddling a sign of love? Cuddling is typically a sign that a person is interested or has affection towards you, but it doesn't necessarily translate into love. Regarding how they feel about cuddling, some people believe may see it as incredibly intimate, while others enjoy cuddling even in platonic friendships.

The release of oxytocin during cuddling also stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness. As a result, cuddling can elevate one's mood and create a sense of well-being and contentment.

Cuddling releases oxytocin, the hormone that makes you feel good, gets rid of anxiety, and makes you more trusting, generous and confident. It's the same hormone that's released during org*sm, breastfeeding, and mother-child bonding. It also relieves stress, lowers our blood pressure, and boosts our immune system.

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.

More often than not, guys cuddle with you because they love you and they want to enjoy a mundane yet intimate connection with you.

Touch and other displays of affection trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone linked to closeness and trust. This hormone promotes a feeling of togetherness and strengthens the bonds between people. Second, passionate cuddling can be beneficial to both physical and emotional health.

Here's how it works: The brain sends signals to the adrenal gland, which secretes hormones such as adrenaline, epinephrine and norepinephrine. They flow through the blood and cause the heart to beat faster and stronger, Ho said.

When you hug, touch, or sit close to someone you love, your body releases oxytocin, which scientists call the “cuddle hormone.” This hormone can help relax and lower anxiety, which in turn can effectively lower blood pressure.

As oxytocin is associated with trust, sexual arousal and relationship building, it's sometimes referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical.” Oxytocin levels also increase when you're hugging someone and when you're experiencing an org*sm. Oxytocin is an essential hormone for childbirth and lactation.