The Science Behind a Perfect Hug

ALEX HOLLOWAY – After a bad day, kids and adults alike may need a good hug.  Hugs have become a universal symbol for care, love, and kindness as people embrace each other with hellos and goodbyes.  Newborn babies are welcomed into the world with hugs as they nestle in their mother’s arms.  As these children grow older, they too begin to hug family, friends, and even sometimes strangers.  Dr. Alison Escalante, a board-certified pediatrician, conducted research and found that there may be a formula to create what science considers the perfect hug.  In addition to the theoretically perfect hug that Dr. Escalante discovered, she also found other data that supported her claims and highlighted the other benefits that hugs can provide.  

The acronym H.U.G. is the core of what Dr. Escalante discovered.  The “H” in hug stands for “hold on tight” and defines the pressure that an individual should use when they hug someone.  Scientifically, the pressure from a hug triggers a response from the vagus nerve which calms the body and in turn lowers cortisol levels. A study from Toho University in Japan found that the perfect hug consists of using medium pressure when individuals embrace each other. Toho University’s study particularly focused on an infant’s pressure responses and found that squeezing too little can have the same effect as squeezing too hard in that it will not calm the child but could make them even more agitated.    

Next in the acronym is “U” which represents to hug “until you feel relaxed.”  Oxytocin is the key in this step and is what makes individuals feel calm after a good hug.   Dr. Escalante states that the ideal duration for a hug is approximately 20 seconds.  Those short seconds can have a major effect on more than just temporary tranquility as hugging often has shown to lower anxiety and increase immune responses.  For infants, a prolonged hug may impact a crying infant by lowering their cortisol levels and therefore making them relax.  

Lastly, the “G” exists to “grow the bond.”  As two individuals hug, the oxytocin that is released can enable a relationship to grow stronger.  What is unique about this aspect is that it may depend on who an individual hugs.  Toho University’s study confirmed that infants at 4 months old were able to distinguish between a hug from their parents versus a stranger.  Infants hugged by their parents calmed down faster and when the same infants were held by strangers, their heart rates were significantly higher, causing them to not calm as easily.  

 A hug is not a fix for all problems, but it has proven itself to have some real benefits, especially when done correctly.  Dr. Escalante and Toho University’s studies emphasize the idea that science can be the driving force behind many things in life, even the things we consider trivial like a mere hug.  The next time someone looks upset or is feeling down, consider trying to hug it out.  The H.U.G. method is sure to provide at least a little relief even if it feels like a trivial idea.  

Copy Editor: Morenike Isola

Photography Source: Bianca Patel