Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Riding the Oxytocin wave.

Dear readers, please allow me to introduce you to Oxytocin, the love hormone.





This little puppy has been linked to bonding and attachment behaviours in both animals and humans.

Oxytocin is a peptide of 9 amino acids that has both peripheral (hormonal) actions through secretion from the pituitary gland, and actions within the brain reflecting it's release from centrally projecting Oxytocin neurons in the amygdala, ventromedial hypothalamus, septum and brainstem.

It's actions include the 'let-down' reflex in lactating mammals (whereby breast milk is let down into collecting chambers in the mammary glands ready for suckling), cervical dilation and Uterine contraction during labor, and other bonding and maternal behaviours in mammals. More recent research has investigated the connections between Oxytocin and sexual response in humans, and while the jury is still out it seems that this little bundle of amino acids has a key role to play in sexual arousal and orgasm (when injected into the cerebrospinal fluid of male rats it causes spontaneous erections). Furthermore, some studies have hinted that it also plays a part in increasing empathy and trust and reducing fear.

The neurobiology of social bonds.
The Oxytocin Receptor system.
Plasma oxytocin increases in the human sexual response.

So.... next time you hear you heart go 'Boom-Boom-Chick-a-Wow-Waa' in the presence of some guy or girl... don't fret, just blame your Oxytocin.

Edit: This is a rather fun link too... The Cuddle Hormone ... I particularly like the quote;


"You first meet him and he’s passable," Witt said of the phenomena. "The second time you go out with him, he’s OK. The third time you go out with him, you have sex. And from that point on you can’t imagine what life would be like without him."




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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous10 November 2009 at 01:06

    I find the part about it reducing fear fascinating. It always seemed to me that giving birth would be the most terrifying thing, and there you have it: pregnant women are fearless.

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  2. Tessa Chernoi10 November 2009 at 01:18

    The reducing fear thing is very much connected to increased trust, it's not risk-aversion per se... in studies they found that when participants knew they were interacting with computers and not another participant the fear reduction didn't happen... so it's a social phenomenon. But yes, you could be right.
    I'm wondering if this trust/risk/fear relationship has a part to play in 'cheating' behaviours... in the sense that the Oxytocin not only increases the bonding and arousal feelings but also reduces moral inhibitions and thus increasing 'risky' behaviours... ?

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