What are the benefits of holding hands according to science? Why do we hold hands?

In 2020, James Coan, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, delved into the intricacies of hand-holding within the context of social relationships. His insights revealed that this intimate act can substantially temper the activity of the hypothalamus—an area governing stress responses—thus fostering stress reduction.

But there’s more. Tiffany Field, the Director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, offered a glimpse into the physiological transformations transpiring beneath the skin during tactile interactions. The pressure exerted by touch stimulates pacinian corpuscles, an intricate network of pressure receptors nestled just beneath the skin’s surface. These receptors dispatch signals to the vagus nerve, an intricate nerve bundle linked with significant organs such as the heart. It is this nerve cluster that orchestrates heart rate deceleration and blood pressure reduction. A simple, affectionate touch from a beloved companion can yield profound effects on one’s emotional and physical well-being.

Hand-holding isn’t a learned behavior; rather, it’s hardwired into our evolutionary past, traceable back to infancy. The telltale grip of a newborn, triggered when their palm is touched, harks back to the palmar grasp reflex—a phenomenon cataloged by the National Library of Medicine. This reflex, observed not only in humans but also in our primate ancestors, facilitated maternal attachment.

What are the benefits of holding hands according to science? Why do we hold hands?

Human touch acts as a trigger for the release of the “love hormone,” oxytocin. Primarily, touch initiates the production of oxytocin, also referred to as the “love hormone.” A study titled “Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation” highlights that heightened levels of oxytocin contribute to feelings of closeness and enhanced connection with others. When experiencing pleasant touch like holding hands, the orbital frontal cortex, a brain region situated above the eyes, becomes active. This region is analogous to the area that responds to pleasurable sensations such as the taste of chocolate and delightful aromas.

Holding hands engenders a sense of security. Socially, the act of two individuals holding hands communicates a companionship of sorts to the world. This gesture carries an inherent confidence, whether it’s between romantic partners or close friends. It’s worth noting that hand-holding isn’t universally perceived as a romantic endeavor across all cultures. Just like cheek-kissing among friends, holding hands is a gesture shared among buddies in various places around the globe. Even in seemingly mundane scenarios, like holding hands in a stationary car at a traffic light or while seated in a cinema, a subtle sense of assurance can permeate.

Furthermore, holding hands can serve as a remedy for stress. A study titled “Self-soothing touch and being hugged reduce cortisol responses to stress: A randomized controlled trial on stress, physical touch, and social identity,” published in 2021 in Comprehensible Psychoneuroendocrinology, uncovered that physical touch exerts protective effects on physiological responses to stress. While your mind might not instantaneously clear and all concerns might not vanish, your body could begin generating less cortisol—a steroid hormone responsible for triggering the “fight or flight” response when its levels surge.

References: https://www.npr.org/2010/09/20/128795325/human-connections-start-with-a-friendly-touch
https://med.miami.edu/en/centers-and-institutes/mailman-center/community/other-community-based-programs/touch-research-institute-archives
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4290532/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9216399/