In an era where digital connection often replaces physical presence, more people are turning to cuddle therapy to fulfill a deep human need: touch. But this isn’t just about comfort—it’s about healing. And what if we told you that cuddling is clinically therapeutic? 

That’s right—cuddle therapy is now a legitimate, science-backed practice. It confirms what many have long felt intuitively: cuddling can be powerfully therapeutic. Today, you can book a session with a certified professional cuddler, someone trained in therapeutic cuddling to help you feel more grounded, connected, and calm—all in a safe, non-sexual, consent-based setting. These people are called Cuddlists

Here’s a deeper look at the top 10 reasons professional cuddling is more than a feel-good trend—it’s a wellness practice backed by biology, psychology, and emotional intelligence.

1. Oxytocin: The “Cuddle Hormone” That Boosts Bonding

Cuddling triggers the release of oxytocin, a powerful neurotransmitter often called the “cuddle hormone.” It activates the limbic system—the emotional center of the brain—fostering trust, reducing anxiety, and enhancing emotional connection. Research from the University of California shows that oxytocin helps people form closer relationships and can reduce social stress.

Whether you're cuddling a partner or booking a professional cuddler, this hormone is doing real emotional work.

2. Physical Touch Reduces Loneliness and Increases Joy

A simple full-body hug can stimulate the nervous system, lower fear, reduce tension, and increase feelings of appreciation and connection. According to Happiness Weekly, hugs act as emotional reset buttons, helping to combat loneliness and boost self-esteem. The American Psychosomatic Society even reported that brief physical contact, like hugging or hand-holding, significantly reduces the negative effects of stress.

3. Long Hugs Promote Happiness Through Serotonin

The longer the hug, the stronger the benefits. Extended, nurturing touch promotes the release of serotonin, a key hormone that boosts mood and fights depression. In his popular TED Talk, neuroeconomist Paul Zak recommends at least eight hugs a day to feel happier and more emotionally fulfilled.

Professional cuddle therapy sessions often last 60–90 minutes, giving your body the time it needs to release these feel-good chemicals.

4. Touch Helps Regulate the Nervous System

A hug or soothing handhold affects the galvanic skin response, changing the skin’s moisture and conductivity levels. These physiological changes help calm the autonomic nervous system, making you feel more balanced. In other words, touch doesn't just feel good—it helps your body function better.

5. Cuddling Lowers Cortisol, the Stress Hormone

Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” is linked to fatigue, pain, and emotional burnout. One study conducted by Beate Ditzen found that cuddling with a partner significantly reduced cortisol levels. Even short sessions of therapeutic cuddling can lower blood pressure and support emotional regulation—especially when done consistently.

6. Touch Stimulates the Brain’s Reward Center

According to neurologist Dr. Shekar Raman, touch activates the brain’s reward center, making you feel happier and more emotionally connected. “A hug, pat on the back, or even a friendly handshake can bring joy to both the giver and the receiver,” he told The Huffington Post. That’s part of why professional cuddling can feel so healing—it’s not just about comfort, it’s neurochemical.

7. Cuddling Strengthens the Immune System

Touch positively impacts your physical health too. Cuddling stimulates the thymus gland, which plays a major role in your body’s immune response by helping regulate white blood cells. This means professional cuddle sessions may not only soothe your mood—they may help protect your body from illness.

8. Short Hugs Create Long-Term Health Benefits

Even just a 10-second hug a day can spark a cascade of health-boosting effects: reduced heart disease risk, increased immunity, better energy, improved sleep, and even lower depression. It’s not magic—it’s just how our bodies are wired to respond to touch.

9. Cuddle Therapy Can Help You Sleep Better

Many people struggling with insomnia find relief in therapeutic touch. Cuddle therapy helps soothe the nervous system, reduce muscle tension, and calm overactive thoughts, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. The calming chemical reactions involved in cuddling can be especially beneficial for those with chronic sleep disorders or anxiety-related insomnia.

10. Cuddling Can Reduce Late-Night Food Cravings

Believe it or not, cuddling may even help curb those late-night snack attacks. Some people turn to food for emotional comfort when what they’re really craving is connection. Regular, affectionate touch can help satisfy emotional needs in healthier ways—reducing the urge to raid the fridge at midnight.

Renowned psychotherapist Virginia Satir once said:

“We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”

While not all of us get that kind of daily connection, professional cuddling makes it possible to receive nurturing touch in a safe, supportive, platonic environment—no matter your relationship status.

So... Where’s Your Daily Dose of Cuddling Coming From?

Whether you’re navigating stress, loneliness, grief, or just need a break from the chaos of modern life, cuddle therapy offers a deeply human solution. With trained professional cuddlers available in most major cities (and virtual consultations on the rise), it’s easier than ever to access this unique form of healing.

Don’t underestimate the power of a well-timed hug—it could be exactly what your body and soul need today. 

Why Professional Cuddling Is Gaining Popularity — And Why It Might Be Worth Paying For

Back in 2016, The Washington Post published a thought-provoking article titled “What Professional Cuddlers Can Teach Us About Touch”, and even now, nearly a decade later, its insights feel more relevant than ever.

The article centered around professional cuddler Roxanne Krakowski and her journey into cuddle therapy, which began with a personal sense of emotional and physical disconnect—something many people still experience in our increasingly digital and socially isolated world.

Roxanne shared something deeply personal: that even in her marriage, she felt profoundly alone. Though physically close to her partner, she lacked the one thing her body and mind craved—touch. She described being starved for physical affection, despite sharing a home and a life with someone.

Her healing began when she discovered Cuddle Parties, consent-based touch workshops found all over the country an run by certified Cuddle Party Facilitators . These gatherings provided a safe, structured environment for people to explore non-sexual, nurturing touch—a concept still revolutionary to many.

One of the most poignant moments in the Washington Post piece came at the end of the interview, as Roxanne and the journalist were about to part ways. Roxanne asked the writer, “Do you want a hug?”

The writer agreed—automatically. But Roxanne followed up: “But do you really want one?”

That moment sparked an “Aha!” for the writer. She realized how often we go through the motions of touch without pausing to ask ourselves—or others—what we actually need. This, in essence, is what professional cuddling is all about: being intentional with connection, presence, and consent. It's not about the knee jerk reaction or a socially programmed response. You have to actually care about whether the other person wants a hug in that moment. In order to even notice that we have to slow down and check with ourselves first, not just respond from habit. Professional cuddlers help people do that all the time and it makes all the difference. The process of slowing down, waiting for a genuine responce, and showing that kind of caring transforms how we interact and how those interactions FEEL. They are more meaningful, more deep. They make us feel more connected and that feelings is what combats the lonliness so many of us struggle with.

Beyond the Hug: The Healing Power of Therapeutic Touch

Today, the field of professional cuddling—also called therapeutic cuddling or cuddle therapy—has grown into a respected, client-focused practice. Certified cuddlers, or Cuddlists help clients manage stress, anxiety, loneliness, grief, and even trauma, all through the power of platonic touch.

At Cuddlist.com, where Roxanne is part of our team, we continue to see firsthand how powerful touch can be when it’s safe, consensual, and emotionally grounded.

One of the most powerful parts of any article is the comment section—and the Washington Post piece was no exception. While some readers questioned the “commodification” of intimacy, others offered heartfelt support.

One comment response by a reader named M.C. Otter stood out, and it still resonates today:

“Glad you have all the touch you need in your lives. You’re lucky. I recently did an informal survey of friends. All of them said they wouldn’t date someone with serious depression, or an alcoholic, or someone with chronic immune disorders, or disabled, or PTSD… the list went on.

And yet, it’s okay to shame people who may not be able to find a partner for whatever reason. This is not about cuddling with someone you love vs. cuddling with a stranger. It’s about cuddling with a stranger vs. no human touch at all.”

This quote is a reminder that professional cuddling isn’t about replacing intimacy, but about meeting a very real human need that so many people go without.

The Bigger Picture: Touch Is a Human Need, Not a Luxury

In a post-pandemic world where loneliness and mental health struggles are on the rise, cuddle therapy is more needed than ever. Millions live without consistent physical contact—not because they don’t want it, but because life circumstances, trauma, or health issues make it inaccessible.

And that’s exactly why professional cuddlers exist.

We at Cuddlist have personally witnessed the emotional and physiological transformation that occurs when people receive nurturing, non-sexual touch in a professional setting. It’s not just comforting—it’s profoundly healing.

Final Thoughts: Ask Yourself the Question

When was the last time you truly asked yourself, “Do I want a hug?” Or more importantly—“Do I need one?”

Therapeutic cuddling offers a safe space to explore that need without judgment. Whether you’re seeking comfort, connection, or a deeper understanding of yourself, professional cuddling might be the wellness tool you didn’t know you were missing. 

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Why Professional Cuddling Is Gaining Popularity — And Why It Might Be Worth Paying For

What Professional Cuddlers Teach Us About the Power of Touch—And Why It Matters Now More Than Ever