Book: The feeling that makes us human

One type of neuron in the spinal horn - the so-called wide dynamic range neuron - combines pain and meaningful information. This combination of pain with non-pain signals in the spinal cord is a possible reason why, if you rub your bruised elbow, the pain sometimes stops for a while.

While most modern parents go beyond stroking the head with their children, it's not the case outside of the family. To keep children safe from sexually anxious adults, we have introduced touch bans for teachers, coaches and other educators, and this well-meaning decision has an irreversible effect, exacerbating the tactile deprivation of our children. As these children grow up in an environment of aversion to touch and spread the same fears to their own children, our entire society will be further impoverished.

Farewell tactile contacts were most common among those born in the United States, Latin and Caribbean America, and Europe, and least among those born in Northeast Asia.

While grooming is needed to remove dead skin, parasites, matted hair and plant debris, gelads (and many other primate species) do much more than they need to keep their skin and coat clean. The main function of grooming is social, not dermatological.

In everyday speech, tactile sensations are so closely intertwined with emotional ones that we call an emotionally awkward person insensitive, that is, literally "devoid of touch."