Your pain is relieved
When you were little, do you remember what would happen when you inevitably fell down and got hurt? Did you run to your mom and show her your boo-boo? No doubt she kissed your evolving bruise, gave you a hug, and sent you on your way. Voila! You were healed. Perhaps it was her motherly instinct taking over that caused her to kiss away your pain. All these years, maybe you thought that a hug from your parent was just some sort of psychosomatic mind-trick.
Science has come up with its own explanation. Oxytocin, the chemical dubbed the "moral molecule" is also known by another name: the "cuddle hormone." As this hormone is released by way of physical touch, it is aptly named. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research have discovered a fascinating thing this "cuddle hormone" can do: heal you. Okay, maybe not completely heal you, but it can reduce your pain. As it turns out, that caress your mom gave you literally helped to relieve your discomfort. Ah, cuddles — nature's Tylenol.
Wondering how in the world this can be true? According to researchers, the neurons that are responsible for sending oxytocin coursing through your veins also work to stimulate cells in your spinal cord. In turn, these stimulated cells increase your levels of oxytocin and bam! You receive "a pain-relieving effect."
Amazing. Does this mean we should still be asking someone to kiss our boo-boos?
