I Want to Hold Your Hand...

From The Telegraph:

Scientists have shown that holding the hand of a loved one can reduce their pain during times of distress.

University of California revealed that, at least for women, the touch or sight of a partner seems to anaesthetise them.

Even a photograph of their loved one is enough to have an effect.

The 25 volunteers were mostly students who had been in a good relationship with their boyfriends for at least six months.

Tests revealed that if the young women were given a mild burn, they felt less discomfort by looking at photos of their boyfriends.

A similar anaesthetising effect was found if they held hands with their partners when "moderately painful heat stimuli" was applied to their forearms.

Read more here.

MR