by Brian Warriner
Cuddle
Therapy, I know what you are thinking, what is cuddling to do with mental
health treatment?
The
truth is that cuddling can help with mental health disorders such as anxiety
and depressive disorders. Science has shown that when you cuddle, hug, or
snuggle with someone, it kills depression and anxiety. The science of touch is
indeed a real thing. You are feeling down in the dumps, and you go home to hug
someone like a parent or a spouse. When you hug for 20 seconds, you experience
improved mood. This is due to the release of feel-good hormones. During a hug,
within 20 seconds, touch decreases cortisol (a stress hormone) and activates
the parasympathetic nervous system. The feel-good hormones oxytocin, dopamine,
and serotonin are released Team, 2024).
I do
not care who you are; when you receive a hug, you feel better. There is science
at work. The human body has a remarkable power to heal itself. It can do many
great things if we do not get in the way of it. We get in the way by ingesting harmful
substances, engaging in reckless behavior, and other activities that can damage
the body. It can damage the body's ability to heal itself.
The
benefits of cuddle therapy, as it is called, may include improved sleep,
alleviation of loneliness, reduction of symptoms of anxiety and depression,
enhanced mood, increased self-esteem, lowered blood pressure, support for heart
health, boosted immune function, and natural pain relief (Team, 2024). Something
so small can have a huge impact on your life and health. Truth be told, I
noticed this even as a massage therapist; touch is powerful. When you are
stressed and have someone touch you, whether it is through massage or cuddle
therapy, you feel better. I have said this many times: touch is essential to
our human experience. Notice that when you were a child, you needed to be held
by your parents; as an adult, your husband massages your back or feet. As you
begin to feel better, being touched with loving intention is powerful. It lifts
your spirit.
I
love how doctors prescribe cuddle therapy for those with anxiety and depression,
to help those with social anxiety as well (Power of Positivity, 2025). I found that
one can become a cuddle therapist. I learned this when I was a massage
therapist and was looking at other modalities to explore. I saw that it would
have been a great fit, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community, as it offers a
nonjudgmental space to experience touch. This form of touch was platonic and nonsexual.
It can boost those who are lonely or alone in this world. I learned as much as
I could, but I could not afford the offered training program. However, it was
something that has not left my mind.
Notably,
cuddle therapy is a form of touch therapy. If you are not comfortable with a
stranger cuddling you, you can hold hands, touch knees, sit back-to-back, or lie
next to each other, just touching hands. There are various degrees of touch. They
still have the same effect on your mental health and physical health. The
cornerstone of cuddle therapy or touch therapy is communication and consent.
You have the right to change your mind at any time (Baxter, 2025). The process
of a cuddle session begins with communication to schedule the session. Then, you
meet face-to-face with your cuddler, who discusses with you everything involved
in your session, including setting up the environment. This can be whether at
your place, in public, or in the office. As you engage in touch during the
session, if you feel uncomfortable, speak up (Baxter, 2025). The practitioner should
be well-trained and, if possible, certified. It depends on the state in which
you reside. They also must carry liability insurance. It must be stated that
when you engage in cuddle/ touch therapy, biological things can happen and make
you, the client, feel uncomfortable, and may cause issues. It might cause some
confusion, which is why insurance is essential. Do not hesitate to request to
see their credentials and insurance.
Cuddle/touch
therapy is something that you must experience to feel its energy. Even with
hugs, they can boost your health and make you feel better. You may not engage
in professional therapeutic touch, including cuddling with your partner, child,
or anyone else who can provide the same effect. However, if you wish to explore
the world of professional cuddle therapy, I recommend the website I found in my
research during my massage career: www.cuddlist.com. They will help you discover
a practitioner who is right for you and your experience.
References
Team, N.
editorial. (2024, October). Cuddle Therapy: The Science and Benefits of
Professional Therapeutic Touch. NeuroLaunch.com. https://neurolaunch.com/cuddle-therapy/
Team, N. editorial. (2024, August
18). Cuddling Health Benefits: Stress Reduction
Moreover,
Improved Well-being Through Snuggling. NeuroLaunch.com. https://neurolaunch.com/benefits-of-cuddling/
Power of
Positivity. (2025, May 12). Doctors Explain 5 Benefits of Cuddling
Every Day for Better Health. Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking &
Attitude; Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude. https://www.powerofpositivity.com/benefits-of-cuddling/
Baxter, T.
(2025, May 30). The Power of Touch: How Cuddle Therapy Boosts
Well-Being. Medium. https://medium.com/@TimothyBaxterMSLCPC/the-power-of-touch-how-cuddle-therapy-boosts-well-being-422030df36bd
Book Cuddle
Therapy from a Professional Cuddler! - Cuddlist.com | Cuddlist. (n.d.).
Cuddlist.com. https://cuddlist.com/
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