Dear Lacnetters,

I found this article about touch and tactile stimulation in the
Newscientist. It's ever so slightly on topic - honest!

"Scientists have discovered why being hugged feels so good - human
skin has a special network of nerves that stimulate a pleasurable
response to stroking.
Until now, no-one knew the function of these nerves. But the
revelation came after doctors realised that a woman with no sense of
touch still felt a "pleasant" sensation when her skin was caressed
with a paintbrush.
The researchers concluded that the CT system may be of important for
emotional, hormonal and behavioural responses to tactile stimulation.
"They are the opposite to pain fibres and give the message that the touch is
non- harmful," Olausson told New Scientist. "Stimulation of CT fibres is
probably linked to the release of pleasure hormones, like oxytocin. Studies
have shown that if you stroke infants, their levels of oxytocin increase."
 http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992598

Sara Bernard
The Netherlands (31oC outside today)

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html