32 | Heart
Touch Starvation and Heart Health During a Global Pandemic BY LAUREN CHRISTENSON, BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE, 2023
A
merican author and therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” Amidst a global pandemic, hugs have become a part of the distant past as we embrace a world where social interactions are six feet apart. As social distancing becomes the new norm, it is time to think about the long-term impacts of lacking physical touch and connection.
DESIGN BY SOPHIE PATE, ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN, 2024
Oxytocin plays an important role in cardiovascular regulation; it lowers blood pressure and heart rate in addition to playing a role in anti-inflammation. Gutkowska et al. investigated the role of oxytocin in cardiovascular regulation in 2014 by studying the effects of in vivo oxytocin during heart attacks in rats. They discovered that oxytocin can help fight inflammation, heal injured cardiac tissue, and lower heart rate by stimulating the release of atrial natriuretic peptide. However, it is important to note that while these results were significant, they have only been tested in rat cardiovascular systems.
Experiencing little to no touch from others, sometimes called “touch starvation,” can have tangible impacts on heart health. In particular, lacking physical contact has been linked to an increase in overall stress levels measured based In quarantine, it is important to find things, such as a pet, on levels of the hormone a weighted blanket, a human cortisol (often referred to as pillow, or a body pillow the stress hormone). When that can, if only to a small Not being able to connect with the body secretes increased degree, provide the touch amounts of cortisol, both we need. Even if it is not others physically is not the end of heart rate and blood a fellow human, there is the world for our heart health, but pressure can be negatively potential that this physical affected. feeling can decrease cortisol it is not something that should be levels. Decreasing the A study conducted in 2013 amount of stress hormone brushed aside.” by Sumioka et al. tested the in your body has important difference in cortisol levels physiological consequences: following communication lowering blood pressure both with and without physical contact. They discovered and lowering heart rate. These are integral components of that participants who had 15-minute conversations with overall heart health. a huggable device (a human-shaped cushion) had lower cortisol levels, in both blood and saliva samples, than In a time where we must remain six feet apart and socially individuals who had a 15-minute conversation on the phone. distance, it is imperative to pay attention to our stress This study emphasized the benefits of touch, even if it came and blood pressure levels. Without the oxytocin boost from a human-like object, as opposed to no touch at all. from cuddling or the reduction in cortisol levels offered by contact with one another, we should instead focus Another important hormone that is impacted by touch is on getting connected in ways that we can. Over Zoom or oxytocin. Oxytocin is often referred to as the “cuddle” or FaceTime, by attending a virtual dance party, getting a pet, “love” hormone. This is because oxytocin levels fluctuate or even a weighted blanket. Not being able to connect with with human contact. A study conducted in 2005 at the others physically is not the end of the world for our heart University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill observed how health, but it is not something that should be brushed aside. frequent physical contact was linked to oxytocin levels. In It is critical that we keep goals of virtual connection and this study, women’s oxytocin levels were measured before communication in mind in our day to day lives. and after either experiencing physical touch (hugs) with Scientific Reports (2013). DOI: 10.1038/srep03034 their partner or not. The study found that higher oxytocin Biological Psychology (2005). DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.11.002 levels were related to how frequently their partner hugged Braz J Med Biol Res. (2014). DOI: 10.1590/1414-431X20133309 them — the more hugs, the higher the oxytocin levels and the lower the baseline blood pressure. So why is this important? PHOTO BY UPSPLASH
“