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In non-human primates, opioid-receptor blockade increases social grooming, and the endogenous opioid system has therefore been hypothesized to support maintenance of long-term relationships in humans as well. Here we tested whether social touch modulates opioidergic activation in humans using in vivo positron emission tomography (PET). Eighteen male participants underwent two PET scans with [11C]carfentanil, a ligand specific to μ-opioid receptors (MOR). During the social touch scan, the participants lay in the scanner while their partners caressed their bodies in a non-sexual fashion. In the baseline scan, participants lay alone in the scanner. Social touch triggered pleasurable sensations and increased MOR availability in the thalamus, striatum, and frontal, cingulate, and insular cortices. Modulation of activity of the opioid system by social touching might provide a neurochemical mechanism reinforcing social bonds between humans.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.05.063

Type

Journal article

Journal

Neuroimage

Publication Date

09/2016

Volume

138

Pages

242 - 247

Keywords

Bonding, Opioids, PET, Somatosensory, Touching, Adult, Brain, Female, Humans, Male, Molecular Imaging, Object Attachment, Pleasure, Positron-Emission Tomography, Receptors, Opioid, mu, Social Behavior, Touch, Touch Perception