Warm hugs strengthen our embodied sense of self

Researchers at Queen Mary University London report that thermoception—the perception of temperature—helps shape self-awareness, and that warm touch such as a hug can increase body ownership and a sense of security; the authors also note that prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures may affect mood and self-awareness.

Researchers at Queen Mary University London examined how temperature perception, or thermoception, connects to self-awareness. They reviewed decades of research from neuroscience, psychology, and clinical science. Dr. Laura Crucianelli and Professor Gerardo Salvato describe warmth as an ancient signal tied to early caregiving and bodily protection. The authors report that the combination of tactile and thermal signals can strengthen a person’s sense that their body belongs to them. Key findings: - Thermoception influences emotions, sense of self, and aspects of mental health, according to the authors. - Warm physical contact, such as a hug, can increase body ownership and a feeling of security. - A 2021 study is cited finding the most pleasant hugs last between 5 and 10 seconds. - People with altered temperature perception or regulation — for example after brain injury — may experience weakened body ownership, and thermal signals are reported to play a role in some clinical conditions. - The authors note that prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures linked to climate change could affect mood, stress, and self-awareness. Summary: The paper presents thermoception as a foundational sense that helps shape how people experience their bodies and emotions. The authors say that better understanding of "skin-to-brain" thermal signaling could inform mental health research and therapies, and they point to the need for further study on clinical applications and on how climate-related temperature extremes affect wellbeing.