Some of the focus on imaginary hugs is just our silliness, I think. But some of it is that the author seems to undermine her own point about the healing power of touch by saying that the brain doesn't distinguish between imaginary and actual hugs. It's kind of an eye roll moment for many of us whose therapists offer cheap-sounding platitudes in response to our out of session distress, especially with regard to difficulties self-soothing. "I'm not actually there for you in any real way when you're struggling, you cannot call, email or get an extra appointment but you can always imagine a hug."