The two main actions of oxytocin in the body are contraction of the womb uterus during childbirth and lactation. Manufactured oxytocin is sometimes given to induce labour if it has not started naturally or it can be used to strengthen contractions to aid childbirth. In the brain, oxytocin acts as a chemical messenger and has an important role in many human behaviours including sexual arousal, recognition, trust, romantic attachment and mother—infant bonding.
As a result, oxytocin has been called the 'love hormone' or 'cuddle chemical'. The effect of oxytocin on the brain is complex. Current research is focused on examining the role of oxytocin in various disorders including addiction, depression , post-traumatic stress, anxiety and anorexia. Oxytocin production and secretion is controlled by a positive feedback mechanism where release of the hormone causes an action that stimulates more of its own release.
For example, when contraction of the uterus starts during childbirth, oxytocin is released. This stimulates more contractions and more oxytocin to be released. In this way, contractions increase in intensity and frequency. There is also a positive feedback involved in the milk-ejection reflex. Stimulation of the nipple during breastfeeding leads to increased oxytocin production and secretion into the blood, which then causes milk to be let down into the breast.
The positive feedback cycle is maintained until the baby stops suckling. The production of oxytocin during childbirth is also self-limiting; release of the hormone is stopped once the baby is delivered. At present, the implications of having too much oxytocin are not clear.
This may cause difficulty in passing urine. Research is still limited, but a few small studies have found evidence to suggest music can help boost oxytocin levels in your body:. Love a good massage? A study looking at 95 adults found evidence to suggest 15 minutes of massage could not only help people relax, but it could also boost oxytocin levels. Research from supports this finding and expands on it, noting that oxytocin levels also increase in the person giving the massage.
What does oxytocin do for you? Well, people often report less pain, stress, and anxiety post-massage. Many also notice an improved mood and greater feelings of well-being. Research suggests that massage from a partner or other loved one may work just as well. Sharing your love and affection with the people who mean the most to you can help increase oxytocin in a few ways:.
Strong friendships can make a big difference in your emotional well-being. Kicking it with your pals can make for a good time, but it can also help you feel socially supported and less alone in the world. The good feelings you experience around your friends can help you feel more positive about your interactions, making you want to spend more time together.
The trust and affection you have for them also tends to increase when you share their company more often. Whether you make specific plans or simply enjoy hanging out, the more time you spend together, the stronger your bond will likely become. For an added bonus, try doing something with a friend that neither of you has done before. Bonding over the unique experience may also trigger oxytocin release. A daily meditation practice can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and help you feel more compassion toward yourself and others.
These effects can go a long way toward increasing your sense of connection and bolstering your relationships with others. But you also target oxytocin production by focusing your meditation on someone you care about. Loving-kindness meditation, also referred to as compassion meditation, involves directing thoughts of love, compassion, and goodwill toward someone in your life and sending thoughts of peace and wellness toward them.
New to meditation? Active or empathic listening is a basic principle of strong social interactions and relationships. Bonding and increasing feelings of connection, trust, and empathy can sometimes be as easy as really, truly listening to what someone has to say. So, when your friend or partner wants to talk about something important, put down anything that might distract you, make eye contact, and give them your complete attention. This close interaction can trigger oxytocin release, helping you feel more connected to each other.
Research on chimpanzees suggests sharing food can increase oxytocin. It makes sense for humans, too — sharing food is a great way to bond. Think back to your middle school or elementary days.
Splitting that cookie or packet of fruit snacks may have netted you a friend or two, right? Preparing a meal with friends or a partner can provide enjoyment in addition to nourishment. Sexual intimacy — orgasm, in particular — is one key way to raise oxytocin levels and demonstrate affection for someone else. Although the data analysis is still in progress, Guastella expects couples that got oxytocin to show less hostile interpretations of the problem and be less critical of their partners.
He thinks overall it will increase perspective-taking and reduce blame, leading to smoother communication and better problem-solving. How would that work? Feldman thinks that these types of behaviors are intimately linked with oxytocin in a positive feedback loop. She thinks that talk therapy alone can boost the oxytocin system, but admits that in some cases it might help to jump-start the feedback loop by administering oxytocin.
Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Go Paperless with Digital. Get smart. Sign up for our email newsletter. Sign Up. Support science journalism.
0コメント