The Neuroscience of Why You Could Really Use a Hug Right Now

Alice,* a 31-year-old director from London, has been breaking the coronavirus lockdown rules. "I almost don't want to tell you this," she says, lowering her voice. Once a week, Alice, who lives alone, walks to the end of her garden to meet her best friend Lucy.* Alice struggles to let her go. "You just get that rush of feeling better," Alice says.