Why does a warm hug feel so good?

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Scientists have discovered that temperature doesn't just make people feel hot or cold.

When winter arrives, many people notice clear signs such as numb fingers in the cold or a flushed face upon entering a warm room. In moments of fluctuating ambient temperature, people often become more aware of their own bodies.

Temperature shapes how humans perceive their own bodies (Photo: Shutterstock).

A review published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences expanded this perspective, analyzing "thermoception," from the comfort of a warm hug to the chilling sensation of a gust of wind.

The results show that this mechanism plays a crucial role in forming the feeling that our bodies truly belong to us.

According to the study's authors, the link between heat perception and thermoregulation not only helps sustain life but also influences emotions, self-esteem, and several aspects of mental health.

Ancient senses with profound psychological impact

"The feeling of warmth is the first sign of protection; we feel it right in the womb, during early childhood care, and every time we are hugged."

"It keeps us alive, but at the same time helps us feel like ourselves. By studying how the brain interprets heat and cold, we are understanding how the body shapes the mind," shared Dr. Laura Crucianelli, Lecturer in Psychology at Queen Mary University of London.

Body perception disorders are a hallmark of many mental health problems, including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders.

Patients may feel detached from or alienated from their own bodies. Clinical data from stroke patients, anorexia nervosa, or body identity disorder suggest that impaired thermal perception may be accompanied by impaired sense of body ownership.

According to Professor Gerardo Salvato of the University of Pavia, experimental studies show that thermal signaling plays an important role in many clinical conditions.

Some stroke patients with impaired thermoregulation and sensation may experience a loss of awareness of parts of their own bodies.

A better understanding of thermal signaling and the interaction between "skin and brain" could pave the way for sensory-based risk assessment and intervention methods.

This could improve rehabilitation for neurological patients, support the design of prosthetic limbs that provide more natural feel, or lead to new psychological therapies.

The study also highlights the potential impact of climate change and exposure to extreme temperatures on bodily perception and cognitive function.

Dr. Crucianelli and Professor Salvato argue that: "As global temperatures rise, understanding how heat and cold shape self-perception could help explain changes in mood, stress, and body awareness in daily life."

Why does a warm hug make us feel good?

"When we hug, the combination of tactile and thermal signals enhances the feeling of bodily possession, helping us connect more deeply with our own sense of presence," Dr. Crucianelli explains.

The feeling of warmth on the skin enhances self-awareness from within and affirms one's existence.

Scientifically , warm contact activates C-tactic nerve fibers and heat pathways toward the insular cortex, the center for processing intrinsic sensation and feelings of safety.

This signal is accompanied by the release of oxytocin and a reduction in physiological stress, enhancing social bonding and body awareness, thereby improving feelings of well-being.

In other words, warm physical contact reminds us that we are connected, valued, and belong to a community.

According to Dr. Crucianelli, humans are born to connect socially, and a brief hug can blur the lines between oneself and the person next to them.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/vi-sao-mot-cai-om-am-ap-lai-mang-den-cam-giac-de-chiu-20251212214700436.htm