Stroking May 2026

Research highlights several physiological and psychological benefits of stroking:

: CT fibers respond most effectively to stroking at a velocity of 1–10 cm/s . Studies show that stroking at roughly 3 cm/s is consistently rated as the most pleasant and effective for reducing pain. stroking

: Stimulation of these fibers activates the posterior insula , a brain region involved in emotion and homeostatic regulation, rather than just the somatosensory cortex which processes mechanical touch. Benefits and Effects stroking

The human body has a specialized system for processing gentle touch, rooted in specific nerve fibers: stroking

: These unmyelinated nerve fibers are located primarily in hairy skin (like the forearm) and are specifically tuned to respond to slow, gentle stroking.