Oxytocin, also
known as the “love hormone,” is said to be the hormone that promotes bonding
between parents and children, increases trust, and reduces conflict between
couples. Researchers have also found that couples with high levels of oxytocin
in their bodies are more likely to have longer relationships than those couples who
have lower levels of this hormone.
A new study
from Germany suggests that oxytocin may help maintain romantic relationships by
prompting men to keep their distance from attractive women.
In the study,
57 heterosexual men were involved. About the half of them who were in
monogamous relationships were given an oxytocin nasal spray, and the rest of
them were given just a placebo. The trial and control group were introduced to
an attractive woman they did not know and the men who received the hormone
nasal spray stayed about four inches farther away from the woman, compared with
the rest of the men who received a placebo.
The same was
done with single men and the oxytocin spray had no effect on the distance they
chose to keep between themselves and the attractive woman. The same happened when
introduced to a man.
Intranasal delivery of oxytocin can also improve communication in couples, improve
discernment of emotions from facial expressions, increase trust and generosity
toward group members, and reduce social anxiety.
According to
Dr. René Hurlemann, of the University of Bonn, the findings suggest that the
hormone promotes fidelity in humans; however, further studies are needed in
order to determine exactly how oxytocin may act on the brain to affect
behavior, the researchers said.
Personally, I
think this is a way of forcing someone to be with you or to trust in you. Don't you believe that
if someone wants to be your partner, does not have to be given a nasal spray of
oxytocin in order not to cheat on you? Wouldn't you prefer to increase your
couple’s levels of oxytocin through touching and eye-gazing, for example, as for have a longer romantic relationship?
What do you think of this ad?
