What is Oxytocin?
A few weeks ago, back when we were talking about functional groups, we went over a sheet with the structure of Oxytocin (which I so brilliantly misread as oxycontin) written on it. Little did I know, Oxytocin is known as the "love molecule" or the "trust hormone". Oxytocin is a peptide made up of nine amino acids, and as well as being a mammalian hormone, it acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Oxytocin, as you may recall, has several hydroxyl, amine, and ketone functional groups. It's fitting that it has amine groups- seeing as it is an amino acid.
The Use of Oxytocin in Humans
Sooo, whats the point of oxytocin? In humans, oxytocin is believed to be released during hugging, touching, and orgasm in both males & females. Not only that, but oxytocin is involved in social interactions and bonding between people, and it might take part in the formation of trust between people. Pretty cool, right? Even better is the fact that you can get oxytocin for free, anywhere, and anytime. All you have to do is hug somebody! The strongest way to release oxytocin is through touch, so share the love... but don't be creepy. Oxytocin is also vital to childbirth and motherhood. Oxytocin helps stimulate uterine contractions, and its even sometimes given to women in labor in the form of Pitocin. Pitocin can be used to induce contractions or it can be used to make weak contractions stronger if necessary. New mothers can even help establish the bond between mother & baby with gentle touches. Also, oxytocin is passed from mother to child through breast milk. Mothers with low levels of oxytocin during the pregnancy are prone to postpartum depression. Doctors can predict whether or not a mother will have postpartum depression based on her oxytocin levels. If increasing oxytocin can help with/cure postpartum depression, maybe it can even help people suffering from clinical depression and anxiety disorders.
Oxytocin and Decreasing Shyness
A study was recently done to test the affects of oxytocin on severely shy people. Researchers at Israel's Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment and Columbia University examined 27 adult men to see if oxytocin could affect how they read/understood other's feelings. The study found that increased oxytocin in less socially proficient men helped them feel more empathetic towards others. However, the oxytocin had no affect on already confident men. From this experiment, they realized that the widely accepted truth that oxytocin makes ALL people more sociable and empathetic is false. It only helps those who are not as socially proficient.
(find out more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8020464/Oxytocin-the-love-hormone-could-cure-shyness.html)
The Fascinating Oxytocin
So, basically, oxytocin is what makes us human. Without oxytocin, we wouldn't be social creatures. It gives us that ability to feel, and it drives the need to reach out and touch others (in a non-creepy way, of course). We wouldn't be caring without oxytocin. We wouldn't be this, we wouldn't be that. The list goes on and on. Oxytocin is what makes us able to form bonds and build relationships in life, and that's all we really need.
(more fun functions of oxytocin: http://io9.com/5925206/10-reasons-why-oxytocin-is-the-most-amazing-molecule-in-the-world)
And also, a very intriguing TED talk on oxytocin and the role it plays in our lives!
Nice job Nabilah. In regards to one of your last points, about oxytocin making us human- is that a fact? Do other animals produce oxytocin as well? I'd be interested to know your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice post Nabilah. The section about decreasing shyness was interesting to know and indeed oxytocin is related to social interactions. I would also like to know if other mammals produce oxytocin.
ReplyDeleteNabilah, I love the play on title, very catchy. I think a blog needs that in order to grab people's attention. When I saw your blog listed it made me interested already. I also liked that you picked this praticular topic. I would never think of doing anything like this. It's really cool that you picked something that we only discussed for what, about a couple minutes then transformed it into a whole blog. It's cool that such a minor molecule or hormone could actually have such a huge impact in ones life. Overall this is just a really fascinating post. Good job!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Nabilah. The experiment about the decrease in shyness was very interesting. Are there any other experiments like that one? Is it true in a woman's case?
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