Sharing

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   Recently at CGC (Cottonwood Gathering Circle) I was talking with a friend about the healing power of SHARING a HUG; I said had heard that hugging for 18 seconds was minimum for healing effect. I decided to ask the popular AI (Artificial Intelligence) called ChatGPT (chatgpt.com) if it could tell me details regarding healing Hugs.

Here's how it went:

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    SEVEN: Hugging is a healing technology. How long of a hug provides healthful attunement?

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    CHATGPT: That’s a beautiful way to put it. Hugging really is a kind of biological tuning fork between people.

Research in psychophysiology and affective neuroscience shows that:

Oxytocin release (the "bonding hormone") increases after about 20 seconds of sustained, genuine hugging. This helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and support immune function.

Heart rate synchronization and shifts into parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) dominance can occur in that same window — usually 20–30 seconds.

Nervous system co-regulation (sometimes called “attunement”) works better with hugs that are unhurried and safe, rather than quick or perfunctory.

For therapeutic or healing effect, some researchers and practitioners suggest holding at least 20 seconds, and up to 60 seconds or more if both people are comfortable.

So, if the intent is healing and tuning, the sweet spot is at least 20 seconds, and longer if it feels natural — as the nervous systems entrain, the hug shifts from social gesture into a physiological reset.

Would you like me to describe what’s happening biophysically during that hug (e.g. breathing patterns, vagus nerve activation, fascia response), almost like a step-by-step "timeline of healing"?

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SEVEN: Yes

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CHATGPT: Alright, let’s walk through what unfolds in the body during a long, healing hug — almost like a timeline of attunement between two nervous systems:

0–5 seconds – Greeting & Contact

Skin-to-skin pressure stimulates mechanoreceptors (especially Pacinian corpuscles), sending signals via the vagus nerve and spinal pathways.

A small release of dopamine and serotonin begins, giving a sense of comfort.

Breathing may still be shallow or independent — not yet synchronized.

5–15 seconds – Settling & Safety

The body starts recognizing safety through pressure, warmth, and stillness.

Stress hormone cortisol begins to dip.

The parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode) activates.

Heart rate starts to slow down slightly.

15–25 seconds – Oxytocin Surge

Oxytocin release peaks, deepening feelings of trust, bonding, and relaxation.

Blood pressure decreases as vessels dilate.

Brain waves can start to shift from high-beta (alert) to more relaxed alpha rhythms.

Many people report a felt “softening” in their body here.

25–40 seconds – Resonance & Co-regulation

Heart rhythms may synchronize between huggers (measurable as heart rate variability resonance).

Breathing begins to entrain, with inhalations and exhalations falling into a similar rhythm.

The fascia and muscles begin to release stored tension, as pressure and warmth activate stretch receptors.

Nervous systems "tune" each other, reducing anxiety and promoting balance.

40–60+ seconds – Deep Healing State

The hug shifts into a shared meditative state.

Vagus nerve activity strengthens, enhancing digestion, immune signaling, and emotional regulation.

A sense of “oneness” or boundary-softening can occur, linked to increases in endogenous opioids (endorphins).

In therapeutic or spiritual language: this is where attunement becomes palpable — a co-created field of coherence.

✨ In short:

Quick hug (<10s): social, polite, mild benefit.

20s hug: oxytocin release, stress reduction.

30–60s+ hug: full-body nervous system entrainment — the “healing technology” phase.

The Circle is Open!​​

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- Seven Daughs