How a Hug Foiled a Terror Plot: The Science Behind Human Touch
"Hugging it out" might seem an unlikely strategy in a confrontation with a would-be terrorist, but for Nathan Newby, it proved life-saving. In 2023, Newby, a 35-year-old patient, encountered Mohammad Farooq outside St James's Hospital in Leeds. Farooq, a "lone wolf" extremist, planned to detonate a bomb to "kill as many nurses as possible."
Newby, who is set to receive the George Medal for bravery, noticed Farooq seemed agitated and struck up a conversation to "cheer him up." When Farooq revealed he had a bomb, Newby attempted to talk him down. "He asked for a cuddle a few times, and I said, 'Yeah, of course you can,'" Newby recalled. After their embrace, Farooq instructed Newby to "phone the police before I change my mind." Farooq was later convicted of preparing acts of terrorism and jailed for at least 37 years.
The Biological Power of a Simple Embrace
This extreme example highlights the profound power of human touch, even between strangers. Touch is a fundamental human need, with extensive research underscoring its benefits. Dr. Michael Swift, founder of Swift Psychology and a British Psychological Society spokesperson, explains: "Touch has a direct line to the brain's calming system."
When we hug, C-tactile afferent fibres in the skin—nerve receptors responsive to light touch at three to five centimetres per second—are stimulated. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, releasing oxytocin, the bonding hormone, and feel-good endorphins. "A hug can feel soothing almost instantly, rather than being something we have to 'think' our way into," Swift adds.
Health Benefits: From Heart Health to Immunity
Not all touch is equal; meaningful contact differs from accidental jabs. Dr. Ravi Lukha, medical director at Bupa, notes that duration matters: a 10-second hug "can help make you feel more alert, help your body fight infections, and reduce your chance of experiencing feelings of depression." A 20-second hug "can be particularly beneficial for your heart health, including reducing your stress levels and blood pressure."
Benefits begin in infancy. Skin-to-skin contact with a parent regulates a baby's heart rate, breathing, and temperature, reducing crying. In adulthood, touch "continues to act as a shorthand for trust and reassurance," Swift says. A 2006 University of Virginia study found that holding a partner's hand provided immediate stress relief for women. A 2022 German study of 36 couples showed that women who hugged their partners beforehand had lower cortisol spikes during stressful tests.
Touch even bolsters immunity. A Carnegie Mellon University study found that people who hugged regularly before exposure to the common cold virus were less likely to get infected, with milder symptoms and quicker recovery. A 2021 longitudinal study of older American adults linked more hugging to reduced chronic inflammation later in life.
The Crisis of Touch in a Digital Age
Conversely, touch deprivation is linked to higher physiological stress due to elevated cortisol. During Covid-19 lockdowns, "touch deprivation" and "skin hunger" became familiar terms. Even pre-pandemic, a "crisis of touch" was emerging as digital interactions replaced in-person contact.
This void has spurred commercial solutions. "Cuddle cafes" originated in Japan in 2012, allowing paid, judgment-free hugging or napping with staff. The trend spread to the United States, and even the UK now offers cuddle therapists and group sessions for platonic touch.
While such services might raise eyebrows, they underscore a growing need. In an era of screens and isolation, embracing the humble hug could be a simple, powerful remedy for mental and physical well-being.
