Hugs
Sensations of comfort and well-being that even a fragrance can evoke
An embrace is not only a gesture to express affection and fondness, but a true activator of our metabolism and a real source of comfort for our psychological state. The positive effect of a sincere and warm embrace is not only linked to an emotional perception, but also to chemical and physical stimuli that our body receives and to which it responds. This reaction is innate and natural: we are accustomed to physical contact with another body from the very moment of conception. Human contact, through tactile and olfactory stimuli, triggers a series of chemical and hormonal reactions in the brain that induce a state of well-being.
Stimuli and memories
Scientific studies now agree on the effects on serotonin levels in our body, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and anxiety. Equally important is the release of oxytocin, a hormone considered the activator of social bonding and affection. In this process, the olfactory experience plays a decisive role. Odors, acting directly on our neural system, stimulate immediate reactions and evoke sensations particularly linked to early stages of life, such as closeness to the maternal body and nourishment.
A special day
The importance of the embrace, as a true balm for psychophysical well-being, has also been recognized with the establishment of National Hugging Day, celebrated on January 21. The occasion was promoted in the United States by Pastor Kevin Zaborney in 1986 as a way to encourage the rediscovery of serenity and human warmth precisely during a time of year, winter, when environmental conditions are less favorable to a state of well-being. Beyond its folkloric aspects, Hugging Day can serve as a reminder to seek behaviors and social habits that can foster relationships and, at the same time, reduce stress and tension. It can also represent an incentive toward behaviors and habits focused on self-care through the experience of positive sensations.
A balm for the spirit
As mentioned, olfactory perception is not only a determining part, but also the fastest in stimulating the benefits of contact, thanks to the immediate activation of receptors and the limbic component of our nervous system. This is how certain fragrances act, especially those that evoke the sweetness and warmth of an embrace through their notes and compositions. They bring back moments of comfort and protection: unconscious yet vivid recalls of sensations experienced in pleasant and fulfilling moments. Notes of caramel, honey, and vanilla are particularly effective in providing these stimuli. In particular, vanillin, the molecule responsible for the typical scent of vanilla, is capable of activating pheromones and consequently the production of oxytocin. Fragrance can therefore become a gentle balm for our spirit.
An enveloping embrace
Silvia Martinelli, perfumer and founder of Giardini di Toscana, certainly believes so: “I created my first fragrance out of a personal need. I was looking for echoes of that tenderness and familial warmth that I longed for at that moment. By experimenting with essences and trying new blends, I finally found the fragrance that moved me—indeed, deeply touched me. Wearing it, I felt the sensation of an enveloping embrace. It made me feel good. From this personal search, a successful fragrance was later born.” Silvia recalls how she has often shared this experience of deep emotional involvement in her perfumery: “One day, a young foreign couple asked me to try some products. I handed them mouillettes with my first fragrance, the sweet, vanilla one. To my surprise, the girl brought her hands to her face to hide her tears. Alarmed, I tried to understand what had happened to her. She looked at me and smiled. She was moved: an intense and very sweet memory had surfaced. A warm embrace had transported her to a moment of tenderness.”
Moments of tenderness
Has it ever happened to you to be moved by trying a fragrance that brought back a moment of tenderness and serenity? Share your experience.
