Why We Like to Have Our Backs Scratched

Itch, Scratch, and the Origins of Social Touch

Your skin is essentially a body envelope. It keeps your vital fluids in and protects your heart, lungs, and other viscera from bacteria and dehydration. It’s also the primary medium through which we bond with other people.

This bonding comes in a variety of flavors. We can hold hands, high-five, kiss, cuddle, have sex. But…