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the research, published in the journal plos one , found that women’s stress levels decreased after they hugged a romantic partner, but that the same wasn’t true for men. the data is limited, though, given that the study was a small one and all the participants were cisgender and in straight relationships.
researchers from ruhr university bochum in bochum, germany focused on cortisol , the body’s main stress hormone, which controls mood, motivation and fear. they studied 76 people in couples, all between the ages of 19 and 32. (the study welcomed people of all sexual orientations, researchers say, but the couples who made it in were only people in straight, male-female relationships.)
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researchers still aren’t sure why the data is so different for men and women. it could be a biological factor (like a difference in receptivity to touch in men or women) or a social one (like the fact that men are generally less comfortable hugging), the study’s co-author julian packheiser suggested to cnn .
many previous studies have shown the positive effects that physical contact can have on our health in general: regular hugs can reduce blood pressure and inflammation , are linked to reduced infection risk and a faster recovery from viral illnesses, and overall improve people’s sense of wellbeing . and specifically hugging a person you love releases the “love hormone” oxytocin , which both makes us feel good and lowers our cortisol levels.
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but massages are time-consuming and often pricey, meaning they’re not an accessible option for many people. “a hug on the other hand is quickly applied and can thus help in buffering against future stressors,” the study’s co-author julian packheiser told cnn .