The Profound Effect of Touch

 

We had an amazing guest on The Health Hub recently, Lydia Denworth, who spoke to us about Affective Touch. Lydia is the author of two acclaimed books of popular science “Toxic Truth: A Scientist, A Doctor and the Battle Over Lead” and “I Can Hear You Whisper: An Intimate Journey through the Science of Sound and Language”. She is a regular contributor to Scientific American and writes the Brain Waves blog for Psychology Today. Her work has also appeared in a wide range of national publications including Newsweek, Time, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Parents.

Here is a snippet of what we learned.

Affective Touch

There are five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Of these 5, what would you say if I told you one can affect children at a molecular level? Would you know which one? If you guessed touch, you would be correct. While it is widely accepted that hugging and cuddling are beneficial in nurturing relationships, especially in infants, it is now believed that a loving touch, a slow caress or stroke, can increase the brain’s ability to construct a healthy sense of self.[1] Who knew a simple touch could pack such a powerful punch?!

In the last few years, neurologists have discovered that we have a specialized neurophysiological system – affective or emotional touch. This system consists of nerve fibers triggered by exactly the kind of loving caress a mother gives her child. These new fibers, which are present only in hairy skin such as the forearm or the back and known as C-tactile (CT), are thought to spark the limbic part of the brain which monitors emotion. A recent study of 94 infants over the span of 5 weeks to 4 ½ years at the University of British Columbia showed consistent differences between high-contact and low-contact children at five specific DNA sites. Two of these sites fall within genes: one plays a role in the immune system and the other is involved in metabolism. This same study revealed that

“children who had been more distressed as infants and received less physical contact had a molecular profile in their cells that was underdeveloped for their age.” [2]

Wow!

Touch is the first of our senses to be available to us, as early as in utero. Affective touch is not only physically rewarding, but also has the potential of positive social development. In these times when the lines of acceptable touching seem so blurred, it’s comforting to know that a slow, gentle caress on the arm or back at an early age can set the stage later in life for deciphering what is appropriate versus inappropriate.

So hug your loved ones a little tighter and recognize that you are helping to develop their sense of self as well as their future relationships.

 

[1] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131008132904.htm

[2] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171127094928.htm

 

This Week on TheHealthHub… Acclaimed Author Lydia Denworth

 

Every Tuesday from 11am -12pm I host The Health Hub, an interactive, forward thinking talk show on Radio Maria Canada.   Call, tweet or email your questions as together we explore health issues that are relevant to you from new and innovative points of view.

This Week on TheHealthHub 

Lydia Denworth

 

Lydia Denworth is a New York-based author, journalist and speaker who writes about how we think, learn and connect. She is the author of two acclaimed books of popular science, and is at work on a third about the biology and evolution of friendship. She is a regular contributor to Scientific American and writes the Brain Waves blog for Psychology Today. Her work has also appeared in a wide range of national publications including Newsweek, Time, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Parents.

 


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This Week on TheHealthHub with Todd White… What is Biohacking?

 

Every Tuesday from 11am -12pm I host The Health Hub, an interactive, forward thinking talk show on Radio Maria Canada.   Call, tweet or email your questions as together we explore health issues that are relevant to you from new and innovative points of view.

What is Biohacking?

with

Todd White

Todd White

Todd White is a self described Biohacker.  He practices daily meditation, Wim Hof breathing, cold thermogenesis, a ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting and he is a fitness enthusiast. Todd has been the featured guest on many of the Nation’s leading health influencer podcasts including Dave Asprey’s Bulletproof Radio, Mark Sisson’s Primal Blueprint, Abel James’ Fat Burning Man, Robb Wolf’s Paleo Solution, Drew Manning’s FIT2FAT2FIT and Jimmy Moore’s Livn’ Low Carb show.  He is the founder of Dry Farm Wines, a writer, speaker, and a leading authority on healthy organic/natural wines.


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Visit our website and learn how to listen live to our show each week.
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Let us know!

If you have a health topic that you would like us to discuss or are a health care specialist who wants to be a guest on our show let us know!

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