Memories that touch deeply: Toward a neurobiological model of affective tactile memory

Affective touch has long been recognised as fundamental to bonding, emotional regulation, and social development, yet its role as a distinct form of memory has remained largely unexplored. This paper advances the concept of affective tactile memory, integrating neurobiological, developmental, and clinical perspectives. We propose a model in which bottom-up processes, partially mediated by C-tactile afferents, may converge with top-down modulation from prefrontal-limbic networks to support the encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of tactile experiences. These processes may generate both explicit memories, enabling conscious recall of specific episodes, and implicit traces, shaping emotional security, attachment, and interpersonal trust across the lifespan. We outline hypotheses on implicit memory formation, explicit recall, and the developmental trajectory of tactile memory, and consider moderators such as attachment style, interoceptive awareness, and imagery capacity. Finally, we discuss implications for clinical interventions and caregiving, where fostering or restoring nurturing tactile experiences may enhance resilience and well-being. Recognising affective touch as a potential distinct memory domain opens novel theoretical and empirical avenues across neuroscience, psychology, and clinical science.