The Power of Touch: Understanding Intimacy in Relationships

Scientists discovered humans can read emotions through touch with 78% accuracy - here's why physical intimacy is crucial for relationships

Transcript

00:00Physical affection is much more than sex, and is part of the glue that holds a relationship together.

00:05Research has found that non-sexual physical intimacy is key to long-term happiness in a relationship,

00:11and that held close, skin-to-skin contact releases the same bonding chemicals in your brain as sex would.

00:18Research has found that humans have an innate ability to interpret emotional messages through touch alone.

00:24In a 2009 study conducted by Hertenstein,

00:27blindfolded people were able to correctly interpret eight distinct emotions,

00:31such as anger, fear, disgust, love, gratitude, sympathy, happiness, and sadness,

00:37solely through the touch of a stranger, with 78% accuracy.