The Science of Connection: Why We Need Oxytocin
One of the most important discoveries in science during the last decade is that of the hormone oxytocin. Discovered nearly 200 years ago, it wasn’t until recently that we understood its central role in our physiology and behavior.
That’s because oxytocin is a hormone that plays a significant role in social behavior. It’s also referred to as the love hormone, cuddle hormone or trust hormone — but it has much more to offer than being simply a feel-good chemical.
Unraveling the mystery behind oxytocin and understanding its many benefits has brought about many new insights into human connection, empathy, trust and love.
The Physical Benefits of Oxytocin
There are many surprising physical benefits to having more oxytocin in your system. Some of the most notable include reduced blood pressure, decreased levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), reduced feelings of anxiety and increased feelings of relaxation. One of the reasons these effects are so pronounced is that oxytocin is anti-inflammatory by nature. This is significant because chronic inflammation is the root cause of many common health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders and even some cancers. When you have higher levels of oxytocin, you naturally produce fewer inflammatory molecules, which puts you at a reduced risk for these diseases. Another major health benefit of oxytocin is its ability to promote slow brain wave activity. When your brain is in this state, your mind is more calm and relaxed, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the system that promotes healing and regeneration, while shutting down the parts of the brain that trigger anxiety, stress and worry. Keeping your brain in a relaxed state is important because it allows you to rest and repair, as well as reduce energy expenditure. This is especially helpful for those who suffer from chronic stress, as research shows that chronic stress actually causes the brain to eat itself. What’s more is that oxytocin can be used as an antidote to our modern day, chronic over-stimulation. It’s a hormone that, when present in large enough amounts, can actually shut down the amygdalae, the part of the brain responsible for monitoring the environment for threats and activating the fight-or-flight response. When overworked, the amygdalae are responsible for feelings of anxiety, fear, panic and even depression.
How Oxytocin Fights Depression
The way oxytocin works to fight depression is twofold. First, it promotes the creation of new neurons in the brain, helping to restore neural pathways that may have become damaged or diseased. Second, it helps to keep those new neurons active. A person suffering from depression has a reduced ability to create new neurons and keep those neurons active. That’s because depression is often characterized by an overactive amygdala, which, as we discussed above, is the part of the brain that shuts down the ability to create new neurons. While SSRIs (commonly prescribed antidepressants) can actually promote the growth of new neurons, it’s a slow and often inefficient process. Oxytocin, on the other hand, can help jumpstart that process almost immediately.
The Role of Oxytocin in Relationships
One of the most significant and well-researched benefits of oxytocin is its ability to improve social connection. This is because oxytocin promotes trust, gratitude, generosity and empathy — all very important components of healthy relationships. When you’re more empathetic, you’re more able to put yourself in the shoes of others, which makes it easier to understand and connect with them. This is why oxytocin has been shown to improve the ability to understand and empathize with people from all walks of life, including those who might be very different from you. When it comes to relationships of all kinds, from romantic relationships, to friendships, to family ties and even professional relationships, increased levels of oxytocin are beneficial because they promote trust. When you trust the people around you, you’re able to open up in ways that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise. This allows you to let go of your emotional barriers and truly feel connected and supported by those around you.
The Dark Side of Oxytocin
The dark side of oxytocin is that it can create feelings of dependency. This is why it’s important to use it wisely and in moderation. While oxytocin can help deepen connections, it also makes us more sensitive to the pain of others. This is a good thing when it comes to things like compassion and philanthropy, but it also means that when someone is attacking you, it makes you feel more hurt and emotional than you otherwise would. Oxytocin is a hormone that is naturally released during stressful situations, like when you’re in a heated argument or when you feel threatened. During these times, it can increase feelings of anxiety, stress and even paranoia.
Bottom line
Oxytocin is a hormone that not only promotes connection and trust, but also healing and health. When you have more of this hormone, you’re actually reducing your risk for heart disease, lowering your blood pressure, improving your ability to fight off diseases and even reducing your feelings of anxiety. By learning how to increase your oxytocin levels, you can start to experience all of these benefits for yourself. There are many ways to increase oxytocin naturally, including exercising, spending time in nature, getting a good amount of sleep every night, and cultivating gratitude for the people and things in your life.