Physical proximity and touch are scientifically proven to be essential for us humans. A special neural network discovered by Swedish scientists (Hakan Olausson) is used for stroking. There are so-called C-tactile nerve fibers on our skin. At a slower speed, they transmit impulses in the brain that evoke pleasant feelings. The stimulation of CT nerve fibers is closely related to the release of the happiness hormone oxytocin and has a decisive effect on our hormones and psyche. Chemical messengers (such as the dopamine, natural endogenous opioids, and oxytocin) are triggered by pleasant touch. Tactile massage has a calming effect, lowers the stress and anxiety center, lowers cortisol levels and combats depressive moods, improves cognitive abilities, supports digestion, strengthens the immune system, promotes wound healing, lowers blood pressure and slows down the pulse, relieves pain, improves physical awareness and good health, well-being, has an anti-inflammatory effect and stimulates cellular metabolism, what supporting healing processes at the cellular level.
In general, high levels of oxytocin are desirable. Its production takes place in the following ways: physical contact, sight, hearing, smell. Oxytocin affects the autonomic nervous system; sympathetic (related to exercise, activity and stress) and parasympathetic (responsible for nutrient storage, growth and healing processes). Oxytocin owes its wide spectrum of action to the fact that it affects many mediators; such as dopamine (which controls the reward system and movement), serotonin (which regulates mood and satiety), and acetylcholine (which is involved in memory and learning, and also regulates digestion). Oxytocin also plays an important role in the body's production of endogenous opioids (such as endorphins), which have analgesic effects. What is admirable, however, is that activating oxytocin regularly for several weeks can bring positive effects. This is because supply oxytocin regularly changes the signaling systems that help maintain oxytocin levels for a long time.
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