Oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the “love hormone,” has been associated with several types of social behaviors. It acts as both a hormone and a neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain, and it is thought to have co-evolved with another similar peptide, vasopressin. In women, oxytocin is released in large amounts during labor (facilitating birth) and stimulation of the nipples (facilitating breastfeeding). However, this hormone has been implicated in various behaviors in both genders.
Numerous studies have linked oxytocin with bonding between males and females and between mothers and their offspring (maternal behavior). For example, when scientists injected female prairie voles with oxytocin, the animals practically glued themselves to their new mating partners. These female voles also tended to lick and cuddle more than untreated voles. Finally, after being injected with oxytocin antagonists, the females deserted their partners. Vasopressin is hypothesized to have a similar effect in males, possibly even transforming some men into jealous boyfriends or husbands. Such bonding and attachment characteristics, however, are what caused oxytocin to persist throughout mammalian evolution.
Trust appears to be another uniquely mammalian characteristic associated with oxytocin. In an experiment using a risky investment game, people who were given an oxytocin nasal spray demonstrated more trust of others with their money, regardless of whether or not their trusting behavior had been taken advantage of. The researchers in this study even expressed concern that their findings could be misused, potentially leading to a “trust potion” of sorts. Similarly, oxytocin has been associated with empathy and altruism.
Recent studies have also...
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...d fall victim to online scams. In another case, oxytocin could be pumped into the air in stores by unscrupulous salespeople, thereby turning us all into soft targets who are more susceptible to buying things. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of the chemical could result in new drugs which are much more potent than ecstasy.
In my opinion, oxytocin is a very interesting chemical which should be (and probably will be) studied more thoroughly, considering both its therapeutic and social implications. Both oxytocin and vasopressin appear to profoundly affect human physiology and behavior. Scientists can now use viral vectors and transgenic animals, including knockout mice, to better understand the behavioral roles of these chemicals. As with any new scientific advances, however, we need to be sure to tread carefully and examine all the potential ethical implications.
One of the most famous experiments on attachment was Harlow’s monkey experiments. After watching a video of the monkey experiments the conclusion is that ...
Broad, K.D, J.P Curley, and E.B Keverne. "Mother–infant Bonding and the Evolution of Mammalian Social Relationships." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Royal Society, 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
In brief, while ecstasy at one point may have been a facilitator in the field of psychology between therapists and patients, it soon became a facilitator in society between recreational users and death. Ever since ecstasy was introduced to the curious public back in the 1960's, it has become a popular preference among drug addicts. Till this day, teenagers all over the world are being pressured into experimenting with MDMA leading them to a life controlled and regulated by not only ecstasy but other various drugs as well. It is actually quite interesting to see what lengths society will go to in order to attain and maintain a sense of happiness and ecstasy.
Evil has a direct link to oxytocin being released into the brain. (Zak 1) The 5% that don’t share many traits with psychopaths. (Zak 1) Not all evil people don't have the ability to release oxytocin. People who release oxytocin when given a positive signal tend to be “normal people. 95% of people release oxytocin when given a positive social signal. (Zak 1) Most people are not evil, the number may
In the story, The Crucible, John Proctor has an affair with Abigail Williams. This affair may have been the initial problem leading to the accusations of witchcraft. The young teenage girl falls hopelessly in love with John Proctor after their sexual encounters. But can she help it? Sex is a fascinating topic when it comes to the different views on it between girls and boys. Boys tend to use sex for sexual pleasure, but on the other hand girls have a tendency to focus on the love element of sex. Due to studies done at Rutgers University, New Jersey, scientists have found an explanation as to why women become much more attached to a man after sex. Oxytocin
Cuddling. That strange behavior exhibited by every woman that falls under the AXE effect and that lasts all day.” The AXE company is claiming responsibility for the side effect of cuddling after sex. However, this “side effect” is actually caused by the dopamine, prolactin, and oxytocin hormones that are released in the body after orgasm. (Last)
The article '' love: the right chemistry'' by Anastasia Toufexis efforts to explain the concept of love from a scientific aspect in which an amateur will understand. Briefly this essay explains and describe in a scientific way how people's stimulation of the body works when you're falling in love. The new scientific researches have given the answer through human physiology how genes behave when your feelings for example get swept away. The justification for this is explained by how the brain gets flooded by chemicals. The author expresses in one point that love isn't just a nonsense behavior nor a feeling that exhibits similar properties as of a narcotic drug. This is brought about by an organized chemical chain who controls different depending on the individual. A simple action such as a deep look into someone's eyes can start the simulation in the body that an increased production of hand sweat will start. The tingly feeling inside your body is a result of a scientific delineation which makes the concept of love more concretely and more factually mainly for researchers and the wide...
Men and women differ physically, emotionally and mentally. However, these differences has an advantage. The difference in physical appearances allows men to be attracted to females, and women to be attracted to males. The different emotional beings permit men and women to depend on each other for comfort at times of sadness, anger, happiness and many other emotions. Mentally, men and women think very differently, but this difference accounts for a gender to be curious and wanting to find out how the opposite sex thinks. Analyzing the difference in behaviors in both males and females, judging from effects of the brain, effects of inherited genes, in comparison to the effects of the environment and surroundings, reveals that the vast differences in males and females results from the effects of
number is increasing as more screening has become available, and there is no cure in sight. Autism is a disorder that is characterized by frequent deficits in communication and social interaction, a lack of trust in others, and generally poor social skills. However a new and promising treatment is arising in the form of the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that is found in mammals that has various functions. One effect of oxytocin is that it seems to increasing trust in social interactions. There are very few studies that have tested the effect that oxytocin has on increasing trust and social skills in people, and therefore more testing is needed. Although there are not enough long term studies, the short term response to oxytocin is positive. Recent research indicates oxytocin treatments for autistic patients correlate with improvement in facial recognition, and recognizing emotions of others. Therefore, using oxytocin provides a promising new approach to treating autism.
Methylenedioxymethamhetamine, the compound used in the drug Ecstasy, was developed in Germany in 1914 as an intermediary substance to pave the way to alternative therapeutic medicines. Presently, MDMA is used for a subculture in America and all over the world of "ravers" who spend their weekends taking this unique drug because of its seemingly mind- expanding properties. The truth about this drug is that it fools the body's senses by releasing too much serotonin and possibly permanently damaging important nerve cells in the process.
Oestrogen receptors in the brain are believed to cause gender-appropriate behaviour. Oestrogen, a hormone found in the female genital tissue, acts as a ligand and, by activating the oestrogen receptors found on the surfaces of brain cells, causes notable changes in behaviour. Professors at Yale University have studied the effects of oestrogen and found the hormone increases neural connectivity in the brain resulting in a more accurate memory. Turnham et al (2002) supports this as upon investigation...
the price of drugs would go down , maybe this is true but it is very unlikely.
Rushton, J. Philippe. “Is Altruism Innate?” Psychological Inquiry 2.2 (1991): 141-143. Web. 5 Feb. 2012.
Many students and young people trying to leave marks on their jobs now use brain-enhancing "smart" pills to help boost their exam grades or their ability to work long hours without tiring. It's quite possible that employers will start to demand that employees use stimulants. Drugs, originally made for dementia patients and children diagnosed with ADHD, are now available without prescription. Healthy individuals use them solely to improve their memory, motivation and attention, without any prior consult with their doctors. Many of these drugs are available on the Internet which comes in handy to young people who want to save their money for the future. What they do not take into consideration when buying stimulants on the Internet is the risk of not knowing for certain what they are getting. Moreover, long-term consequences and safety of the technologies are not known. Scientists haven’t done enough research to know how much of an impact even a short period of using such substances leaves on our brains.
Just as the brain allows us to see, smell, taste, think, talk, and move, it is the organ that allows us to love — or not. The systems in the human brain that allow us to form and maintain emotional relationships develop during infancy and the first years of life. Experiences during this early vulnerable period of life are critical to shaping the capacity to form intimate and emotionally healthy relationships. Empathy, caring, sharing, inhibition of aggression, capacity to love, and a host of other characteristics of a healthy, happy, and productive person are related to the core attachment capabilities which are formed in infancy and early