Do you mind if I give you a hug?

A simple hug (Spanish: Abrazo) is one of the most essential forms of communication for Latinos. The act of hugging in Latin America is equivalent to saying hi to someone you know.

Growing up in Latin America, I remember experiencing difficulty adapting to my new life in the USA where I had to modify my common communication language from hugs and kisses (on the cheek) to only words – hello and goodbye. Though I was very conscious of the cultural differences, it took my brain a bit longer to modify my habit of hugging.

Breaking any habit (whether good or a bad) always represents a challenge for us humans. Longtime habits literally establish in the brain and are powerful determinants of our behavior, and modifying a behavior requires tremendous strength, support and motivation.

I often asked myself was I motivated enough to change my urge to hug people, so they did not feel awkward and uncomfortable because they were not Latinos? I remember meeting Dr. Hu for the first time, a young researcher from China who I was going to be working with at a Neuroscience lab in Massachusetts. I could tell he had a very hard time understanding my English given the fact that I had a remarkable Latino accent, and likewise I barely understood a word he said. Thankfully, we both were willing to work through our communication barriers in order to complete our projects. After a few months at the lab, Dr. Hu and I had figured out an efficient way to communicate. It consisted in a combination of using the few words that we were able to understand, and then passing on the rest of the information through emails. He was a very kind man and though he could spend several nights in a row working in the office while eating his usual late dinner of spicy ramen noodle soup, he would always make sure that I headed home early to rest.

By the time the first project was completed, I had grown very fond of Dr. Hu, and we both moved on working in different projects with other teams. Three weeks quickly passed. One morning I saw Dr. Hu coming down the hall at the lab. I called his name loudly and enthusiastically: “Hi Dr. Hu!” As he approached me, my arms just raised and I gave him a warm hug, the type of hug that I would give my friends and family members daily in Latin America. It seems my brain had made a sudden association of friendship when I saw Dr. Hu. He was happy to see me as well. I could tell because of his facial expression. “Carolina, so good to see you!” However, the hug had taken him by surprise, and he stood there like a statue without moving his arms. Yes, it was an awkward moment that I had tried hard to avoid at work.

With a career in chemical engineering and a fascination for neuroscience (the science that deals with the structure or function of the nervous system and brain), I learned more about the benefits of hugging in humans. A hug (when given or received from someone you know, trust, respect and/or love) makes the brain and nervous system release endorphins, hormones or substances produced by our own bodies. These endorphins have a magical effect, an analgesic effect. In other words, they can relieve physical pain and soothe aches.

The pharmaceutical industry started during the 19^thCentury. Pfizer, founded in 1849, was the first company in the USA. Their scientists discovered a way to manage physical pain, which was one of the greatest needs during the Civil War in producing medications (considered non-natural substances; chemicals; drugs) that would make the brain release larger amounts of endorphins. These medications or painkillers are known as opioids.

Unfortunately, opioids, as compared to other human inventions intended to improve life, became both a blessing and a curse because while they eased physical pain, they also resulted in a happy feelingsthat lead to addition.

Being addicted to a non-natural substance means that the brain has a powerful urge to receive that substance or chemical, even when it is no longer needed. Opioid addiction is categorized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) as a long-lasting (chronic) disease. The Abuse of opioids as well as the use of other substances that also can cause addiction (including legal and illegal drugs) constitutes one of the most devastating public health epidemics in the USA.

Those first years being far from my Latino family and friends were extremely challenging emotionally, even though I was excited to be applying my skills in health sciences, learning tons of new information working alongside an extraordinary team of investigators at Harvard. I also cried myself to sleep many nights missing the hugs and kisses in the morning from my parents and siblings, listening to my great-grandma’s voice telling me, “God bless you.” And, as I was leaving the house, expecting my little brother – 10 years younger – to rush to cheer me at the front door and then jump on me and hang from my neck like a monkey. I realized I was missing all those moments, those behaviors and key characteristics of my Latino culture and family that I took for granted. I realized I needed those Endorphins, Oxytocin, Dopamine and Serotonin (the hormones, neurotransmitters or chemicals that are produced in our brain to alleviate our physical and emotional pain, that make us feel happy, calmed and loved).

Having a better understanding of how the brain operates in terms of our emotions, I decided that instead of suppressing my urge to hug the people I appreciate in the USA. I would simply ask, “Do you mind if I give you a hug?” To my surprise every single person who I felt like hugging, has responded with a warm hug. Many of them have even thanked me.

One morning on my way to the cafeteria, I hear my name. “Hey, Carolina!” I quickly looked in the direction of the sound and I see Dr. Hu with a female doctor. I walked towards them and out of nowhere without even asking, Dr. Hu’s arms wrapped me into a friendly warm hug. Then he introduced me to his wife, Dr. Jeane, who also gave me a hug as she said, “Nice to finally meet you.” That day at the courtyard of Harvard Medical School, all those “happy chemicals” were released in my brain, making me feel welcomed, appreciated, valued and loved.

My Family and I moved from Massachusetts to California and later to Virginia where I still work in the field of health science. In 2017, I founded PERSUNALITY, a company formed by a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, doctors, educators and artists who decided to combine skills in developing services and products with social mindfulness. In 2018, we created JOI – “Joy Of Interaction” – a program of social inclusion with the mission of motivating people to interact more with one another in a positive way. We wish to have an impact in our community by reinforcing the values of respect, compassion, kindness and trust among people.

We are currently developing JOI Neuron ^TM– Brain, Science & The Art Of Living an innovative Health Education and Substance Abuse Prevention Program with a focus on children. We hope to capture the children’s curiosity and imagination with a game where they will learn about avoiding risky behaviors and making better decisions to save lives.

“I want to dedicate this article to one of my best friends, Alzheimer Investigator and Harvard professor Dr. Hu who inspired me to use what he considered my set of “superb social skills” and creativity to innovate and make an impact in the world. Also, to all of you in the community of Southwest Virginia who let me be the Latina I am, who often contribute to my physical and mental health by treating me with respect, by making me laugh out loud, by giving and receiving my warm hugs. I can only hope that I can do the same for you.”