Pleasant Deep Pressure: Expanding the Social Touch Hypothesis

•The C-tactile social touch hypothesis proposes that C-tactile fibers form a privileged pathway underlying social touch.•We propose that deep pressure, as found in hugs and massage, constitutes another important form of social touch.•We develop an oscillating compression sleeve to administer deep pressure and find it is perceived as pleasant and calming.•Brain activations to deep pressure are highly similar to C-tactile stroking, with differences in S2, SMG, and insula.•Deep pressure may constitute another social touch pathway signaling the close proximity of conspecifics.