This morning while lazing in bed half asleep thinking about getting up I wondered about the utility of back scratching. It is obviously a universal human enjoyment, as evidenced by the phrase “I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine.” We all know what that means – if we work together we can both “win.”

As I contemplated the pleasures of having my back scratched I realized that it is a lot more pleasurable than we let on. A nice back scratch is GREAT! Back scratching is much better than having other areas, such as my legs or belly, scratched by my favorite friend – there is nothing like the sublime pleasure of a good scratching of my back. When my back is being scratched newly created itches seem to travel around my back – just begging the scratcher to roam over my entire back. I find myself in complete bliss when it is done properly (and there is a wide range of what I consider “properly”).

So what is up with this? Giving a back scratch seems much more compelling than just being a nice thing to do – it seems more compelling than a nice massage/rub of the same place. It feels powerfully “bonding” in nature, but different than just sexual pleasure.

This makes me wonder if there isn’t something much more; something very primordial, more “primitive,” about this activity. When I think of a troop of baboons, or chimpanzees, the image that first comes to mind is of them sitting or squatting next to each other with one grooming the back of the other. Sure, they are picking (and eating) nits (lice), but I suspect there is there a bigger “reason” than just hygienic sharing.

A quick search of Google found this information, “It has been scientifically proven that touch can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mood. Back scratches, in particular, activate the C-tactile fibers in our skin, which are responsible for transmitting pleasant sensations to the brain. This activation leads to the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and feelings of trust.”

Wow – these are pretty important benefits from such a simple procedure.

I am going to throw out a hypothesis that back scratching is an ancient activity maintained in our genes because it is a critical part of the “glue” that keeps us bonded to our partner, family and “troop.” I predict that if we neglect the extremely important gift of giving each other back scratches (as opposed to just back rubs), we miss out on a major part of our humanity. I suspect back scratching might be as important, or perhaps even more important than the sexual act for maintaining group cohesion.

I know of no research into the topic of the importance of back scratching to maintain strong inter-personal bonding, but I suspect that it is huge just from the level of exquisite enjoyment that I experience. The pleasure seems entirely out of proportion given the simplicity, and innocence, of the activity. Sure, it also feels good to have my head rubbed/scratched. Yep – all parts of my body love to be massaged. But back scratching rises to an entirely different level – I think that it must be very important in some unknown and hidden way. It isn’t just a “back scratch,” I think it may be an important part of the glue that allows humans to live in communities and form stable families.

This is just my wondering why should it feel so darned good? Lots of things feel good, but nothing like a great backrub/scratching session.