Oxytocin: The Hugging Hormone

Scientists are discovering the connecting power in a hormone called oxytocin. Human are designed to be empathetic, compassionate, and connected to other people. In fact research has found that isolated people often die sooner than those individuals who have nurturing relationships with others.

The foundation for building social relationships begins in the brain through mirror neurons and is directly related to the bonding hormone oxytocin. Scientist, Allan N. Schore of USCA School of Medicine research has shown that interactions between mother and child which include nurturing, talking, and gazing in infancy create the foundation for infants to form healthy connections with other people.

Oxytocin and Autism

People who actively socialize with other people tend to have higher levels of oxytocin present in their body. Scientist found children diagnosed with autism have significantly lower oxytocin levels in their blood than their counterparts. In addition, autistic children who have sensitive mothers developed better language skills than those autistic children who had less sensitive mothers.

Oxytocin and Trust

Micheal Kosfield and a team of researchers, found oxytocin to be a significant factor for increasing trust and decreasing fear in adults. Research participants who were administered oxytocin nasally demonstrated the "highest level of trust" when engaging in a risky investment game. The results of this study indicate that oxytocin helped the study participants become less fearful and more trusting in social interactions, despite the risky investment.

Oxytocin and Generosity

Lead researcher Paul Zak , also known as Dr. Love, conducted a study where participants were either intravenously infused with oxytocin or a placebo. After receiving the oxytocin participants were asked to split a sum of money with a stranger. The results of the study found that those individuals injected with oxytocin were significantly more generous than those individuals given a placebo. Dr. Love recently discovered that social networking elicits the release of oxytocin making us more generous and trusting when online. This is good news for all those companies and individuals who advertise their products in cyberspace.

The higher the oxytocin level individual's have in their body the better they are able to deal with every day stressors. Oxytocin has been found to decrease the level of cortisol in the body; which in turn, lowers blood pressure in response to stress-producing events. Research has also found oxytocin levels to be higher in pet owners than non-pet owners. Another area where oxytocin seems to have a positive influence is in marriage. Married individuals have been found to live longer than singles and many scientists speculate this could be due to the bonding hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin has also been found to decrease the desire for drugs, alcohol, and sweets and therefore can help those struggling with addictions.

Oxytocin cannot be administered in a pill or capsule form because it is destroyed by the gastrointestinal juices. Although oxytocin is readily absorbed in both the internasal and intravenous form, the long-term effects of supplemental oxytocin are largely unknown at this time.

The good news is that many of the daily activities we engage in readily increase oxytocin levels. So if you are feeling stressed, depressed, or even just a little irritated here are some ways you can naturally increase your oxytocin level.

1) Think about someone you love. If you want a deeper connection with your spouse, children, or parent simply thinking positive thoughts about that person can increase oxytocin levels in the blood and thereby decrease stress hormones.

2) Socialize. Social stimulation naturally increases oxytocin levels. Some researchers suggest that oxytocin may have an "addictive" quality. In other words, the "high" humans receive from the release of oxytocin might trigger us to continue in social relationships.

3) Touch. Hugging and close contact with those you love is a natural way to increase oxytocin levels. Breastfeeding, rocking, or holding your children create healthy bonds, a feeling of connection, and lower stress hormones. Getting a massage or back rub, participating in yoga, or hugging and kissing your spouse are additional ways you can naturally increase oxytocin levels.

4) Soothing music. Playing relaxing music can increase oxytocin levels. Wilson, in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, found that those patients who listened to soothing music during rest or sleep after open heart surgery experienced increased oxytocin levels. Soothing music can elicit feelings of bonding and connection by creating a shared experience among individuals.

5) Own a pet. Research has shown pet owners tend to have lower stress levels. Lowered stress levels in pet owners might be as result of the protective factor against stress oxytocin produces. The boosts in oxytocin pet owners experience from the squeezes, licks, and hugs their cats and dogs freely offer is beneficial for both the owner and the pet.

Oxytocin levels increase when we love, connect, and socialize with those around us. Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter and hormone that helps calm the body from stress, promote the growth of healthy tissue, aid in digestion, increase energy, and overcome desires for addictive behaviors.

“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.”- Herman Melville

So go ahead and reap the benefits of oxytocin by offering your spouse, children, or friends a few extra hugs, positive thoughts, or encouraging words.