When we’re grieving, touch can feel like both too much and not enough.Sometimes all we want is to be held. Sometimes even that feels impossible.But safe, consensual touch can help remind our nervous systems that we are not alone. In my cuddle sessions, I witness how grief softens-not disappears, but softens-when someone has a place to cry, to be still, to lean on another body without needing words.

During Pride Month, I want to hold space for everyone who’s ever been made to feel too much, too soft, too different- for anyone whose body has been politicized, policed, or pushed aside. If that’s you, I see you. At Midwest Touch, cuddle therapy is about more than just comfort. It’s about rebuilding trust in your body and in others. It’s about being received with presence and without judgment.

When I first started my journey to become a professional cuddle therapist, I thought I was learning how to help others feel safe, seen, and supported through platonic touch. What I didn’t expect was how much it would change me, too. Through cuddling and consent training, I’ve learned how to communicate more clearly, listen more deeply, and ask for what I need with confidence and kindness.

Discover how platonic touch supports addiction recovery by regulating the nervous system, reducing stress, and building emotional resilience.

How Cuddling Affects the Brain and Body A study by Oxford University revealed that when we hug someone we trust, the frontal lobes of the brain light up. This area processes pleasure and social connection. Cuddling also triggers the release of oxytocin, often called the “love hormone.” Benefits of oxytocin from cuddling include: Reduced cortisol (stress hormone) levels Lower blood pressure and heart rate…

Let’s get real for a minute. In our culture, talking about cuddle therapy and platonic touch often makes people raise an eyebrow — or worse, dismiss it altogether. Touch is so deeply human, yet it’s one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized forms of connection, especially when it’s not romantic or sexual. But here’s the truth I’ve learned — from my own experience and from working with others — platonic touch is not only healing but…