Stop in the Name of Love...

L is for the way you look at me...Yes you probably would be looking at me strangely if we were in the same room; however, you are not...so let's talk about love and happiness. What causes people to be happy? This answer differs for men, women, children, etc. However, the answer truly lies with molecules! What kind of molecules? Well, there are lots, but the one I want to focus on is oxytocin. Oxytocin is a nonapeptide that acts as a hormone and neurotransmitter. Oxytocin is usually released during sex, childbirth, and during lactation. It Is thought to also have an anti-anxiety effect, be helpful with autism, and be present during the first few months of a blooming relationship. 

In the article, "Dissecting the Role of Oxytocin in the Formation and Loss of Social Relationships" discusses the role of oxytocin in the formation and preservation of social relationships. In the article, it was suggested that oxytocin helps create relationships whether infant-parent or romantic, and the loss of those relationships can causes mental disorders, suggesting that oxytocin helps with mental health stability. 

In the article, was also suggested that oxytocin drives the mom to care for the infant, based on a study with rats. Oxytocin concentrations during the first trimester also help predict postpartum attachment to their children. There is evidence to suggest that there is a link between childhood attachment bonds and genetic variation in oxytocin pathways. For example, mothers with a silent G to A allele in the oxytocin gene, showed lower levels of sensitive parenting.  However, oxytocin levels were measured in adult women with a history of childhood trauma and abuse, as well as, socially deprived children indicating  that childhood distress has a long-lasting impact on oxytocin signaling. Furthermore, it was implicated that the molecule is responsible for the social connections of dogs regarding their owners.  Also males who were dosed with synthetic oxytocin were found to have an increase in attachment security, making fathers more motivated toward their young. In addition, oxytocin was shown to heighten orgasms in males. The article goes on and on about the effects on oxytocin and synthetic oxytocin, only to conclude that it plays a vital part in bonding, and more research needs to be done, but also how in smaller trials there was limited success, especially in older people. 

The article was clearly interesting; but somewhat scattered and needing focus, especially in linking the conclusions to other parts of the paper. However, I want to know what kind of abuse the women they viewed endured or the children in order to alter oxytocin levels? How the oxytocin pathways works in those cases? What kind of measurements were done? I also think that the article needed to include how oxytocin affected women's orgasms, not just men's orgasms. (Because if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, right?) 

 

http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.shsu.edu/science/article/pii/S0006322315004369

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/275795.php?page=2