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Oxytocin (The Love Hormone): Benefits + How to Increase Levels

The AHA! Team — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:11:36 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Why is oxytocin called “the love drug”? It’s responsible for many aspects of social bonding and sexual pleasure and affects emotions. Oxytocin, nicknamed by some experts “the tend and befriend hormone,” is one of the most important hormones that humans (and many other mammals) produce. It plays an important role in: social bonding building relationships reproduction childbirth breastfeeding raising children Here’s something that may come as a surprise: According to the American Psychological Association, oxytocin is released in response to both positive social connection and stressful conditions. Levels have been found to be higher when someone is under stress, such as when exposed to social isolation or when in an unhappy relationship. It’s thought that increased levels may help motivate people to reach out for help. On the other hand, situations that make us feel safe, happy and connected tend to cause the release of several “feel-good hormones,” including oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. What is oxytocin? Oxytocin is a hormone (technically a peptide or neuropeptide) that is involved in bonding. As a neuropeptide, it’s a “chemical messenger” that acts on organs, including the brain. What does oxytocin do, and where is it produced? Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus region in the brain, often called the “control center” of the brain. It’s also thought to be influenced by activation of the amygdala, which is the region of the brain mostly associated with fear and memories. Once the hypothalamus sends signals for oxytocin to be produced, it’s either released into the bloodstream or to other parts of the brain and spinal cord. It binds to oxytocin receptors, influencing how we feel and behave toward others. Oxytocin influences the autonomic nervous system and the immune system. This includes having an effect on the “hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis” (also called the HPA axis), which dictates release of many hormones. This peptide hormone has been said to have “broad implications” for general health, including facilitating adaptation to stressors, development, growth, healing, reproduction and social behavior. It also seems to have anti-inflammatory and even antioxidant effects, since it defends the body against trauma, illness and stress-induced damage. Additionally, it helps keep blood pressure levels in the normal range and also balances cortisol levels, a primary “stress hormone.” We usually think of it as a feminine hormone, but do men produce oxytocin too? Yes. While it was originally considered a hormone that was only found in women due to its tie to labor, lactation and raising children, it’s now known to be present and important in both men and women (although women are still thought to produce more). For example, oxytocin helps with male reproduction, as well as female reproduction, by supporting production of testosterone in the testes and motility of sperm. Additionally, it affects both sexes’ metabolisms, moods, immune systems and more. How the love hormone affects emotions Why is oxytocin called “the love drug”? It’s responsible for many aspects of social bonding and sexual pleasure and affects emotions. Oxytocin also has similarities to endorphins (opiate chemicals) because we produce more in order to soothe ourselves in response to sources of pain and stress. How does oxytocin make you feel? Here’s a basic overview of the emotional effects of oxytocin: Research has told us that oxytocin’s effects are basically the opposite of those linked to our “fight or flight” response. Higher levels are linked to feeling calmer and having a better capacity to deal with stress. Newer research has suggested that increased oxytocin can potentially also increase feelings of generosity, forgiveness, trustworthiness, joy and security. It seems to help increase fidelity and monogamy in relationships by keeping us honest and facilitating compassion/empathy toward others. Plus it increases feelings of protectiveness. Benefits/uses 1. Helps with social bonding and building relationships Can oxytocin make you fall in love? The release of oxytocin is associated with feelings of love and protection, as well as empathy, trust and connectedness. Studies have shown that oxytocin enforces pro-social behaviors, attachment, bonding and even fidelity by rewarding those who maintain good relationships with positive, calm feelings of well-being. One study demonstrated that people in the early stages of romantic attachment, within the first six months of a new relationship, had higher circulating levels of oxytocin. It’s also known that oxytocin levels are high during sexual activity and after orgasms. Many forms of social contact seem to result in bursts of oxytocin, even if it’s anticipated social contact, such as planning for a date, party or get-together. The hormone also works on a “positive feedback loop.” It makes us want to socialize, which further increases our oxytocin production, which then makes us feel good so we continue to seek out relationships with others. 2. Boosts ability to cope with stress While it also works under times of low stress, oxytocin has been shown to be elevated under times of high stress, too. Some studies have found that people who report having poor social relationships usually have higher circulating levels of both oxytocin and the stress hormone cortisol than those reporting better relationships. Externally administering the hormone via supplements has been shown to help mitigate stress reactions, acting as a type of natural buffer. It can make people who are stressed seek out support through better social connections. It may also help protect the nervous system from shutting down in the face of stressful circumstances, including childbirth. By increasing someone’s motivation to find help from others, the hormone can help people find opportunities and engage in behaviors that lead to more security, joy and love. 3. Induces labor What does oxytocin do in women to facilitate reproduction? Not only does it help women bond with their sexual partners or potentially the future fathers of their children, but oxytocin also strengthens labor contractions during childbirth, along with helping control bleeding after childbirth. It facilitates production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that move labor along by increasing contractions. In prescription/synthetic form, it can be used to induce labor or speed up the process. The most widely used form is the brand-name drug Pitocin, which is commonly given to women in the hospital during labor. 4. Supports breastfeeding and child rearing According to a 2018 study focused on human evolution, some of oxytocin’s main functions are to support breastfeeding and nurturing maternal behaviors among both mothers and fathers. Research has linked the hormone to a mother’s ability to care for her infant in multiple ways, one of which is through breastfeeding. When a baby nurses from his/her mother’s breast, nerves in the nipple send a signal to the pituitary gland to produce oxytocin, which then causes tiny muscles around the nipple to squeeze and release milk. Experts also believe that oxytocin helps new mothers and fathers feel calm even during difficult life transitions, one of which is having and caring for a new baby. Levels have been shown to rise in parents due to affectionate touch and contact with their babies and children. 5. May have anti-aging and anti-obesity effects In one study, it was shown that higher oxytocin release is linked with protection against accelerated signs of aging and better regeneration of aged tissue stem cells, including muscle cells. Oxytocin injections may be used in the future to help injuries heal better, improve bone health and possibly prevent obesity. For example, some animal studies have found that oxytocin administration leads to sustained weight reduction by reducing food intake, which is believed to happen because it dampens the brain’s food-related reward circuitry. Additionally, it seems to reduce muscle and joint pain due to pain-dulling and anti-inflammatory effects. Higher circulating levels are also thought to be positively associated with lean mass and bone mineral density. 6. May help with social disorders Oxytocin has been investigated for its potential therapeutic effects on various psychiatric conditions characterized by social deficits and anxiety, including social phobia, autism spectrum disorders and postpartum depression. Research has suggested that oxytocin may modulate social behaviors and reduce anxiety, making it a promising candidate for treating social phobia. A review of clinical trials indicated that oxytocin administration could have beneficial effects across several conditions, including social anxiety. Oxytocin’s role in enhancing social cognition has led to studies exploring its application in autism as well. A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that oxytocin administration showed a significant combined effect in improving social behaviors in individuals with autism. The involvement of oxytocin in mood regulation and maternal behaviors has prompted investigations into its potential therapeutic effects on postpartum depression. Oxytocin is considered a promising neuromodulator for psychotherapeutic interventions in various psychiatric illnesses, including postpartum depression. While these findings are encouraging, it’s important to note that research is ongoing, and the therapeutic use of oxytocin for these conditions is still under investigation. Further studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety profiles in these contexts. How to increase it Both higher- and lower-than-normal levels of oxytocin can cause health problems and changes in behavior among women and men, according to endocrinologists. Here are some examples of how: High levels among men may contribute to enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and urinary problems. Low levels (what some might call “oxytocin deficiency”) among women can interfere with child labor and breastfeeding. Low levels among both sexes have been linked to depression and anxiety, although it still isn’t totally clear how administering oxytocin supplements can help treat these and other mental health conditions. It’s also believed that low levels may be tied to autism and autistic spectrum disorders. Wondering, “How can I increase my oxytocin levels?” Is there a supplement for oxytocin or foods that can naturally boost production? Here are ways that you can naturally boost your production in order to promote feelings of well-being and connectedness: Physical contact. Hugs, massages, being intimate, shaking hands and breastfeeding all cause the release of oxytocin. Physical contact can increase levels whether it’s between lovers, friends, or children and their parents. Essential oils. Research has shown that certain essential oils, including clary sage oil, may help balance hormones and encourage production of “the love hormone.” Making eye contact Laughing Giving and receiving gifts (including money) Altruistic behaviors, such as cooking for others and sharing meals together Petting a dog, cat or other pet Doing “loving kindness” meditations or visualization Telling someone you love him or her Listening to calming music Speaking to someone you trust on the phone Walking or exercising with someone Looking at photos or videos of people you care about, including via social media Supplements, sprays and dosage What happens if you take oxytocin in supplement or spray form? Although more research is still needed to confirm how oxytocin supplements and sprays affect our behaviors and moods, researchers think there’s a possibility that administering this hormone may help people dealing with social and emotional problems. Conditions that oxytocin may be able to help include: autism or Asperger’s disorder social anxiety schizophrenia depression Some early experiments have suggested that oxytocin nasal sprays or injections may help people with these conditions better identify emotional content and facilitate social information processing. The synthetic version of oxytocin given intravenously (Pitocin) is also used to induce labor. Can oxytocin be taken orally? At this time there isn’t an oral supplement of this hormone available. Because it’s destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract, it’s given by injection or nasal spray instead. Dosage of oxytocin depends on why it’s being given and someone’s response; therefore it must be individualized. When it’s given to induce labor, IV infusion is used along with frequent monitoring. Infusion doses starting at 0.5 to 1 milliunits/minute, in some cases increasing up to 6 milliunits/minute, are typically given to women during labor. Does food have oxytocin? This hormone is not found in foods, but it does play a role in regulating appetite. Eating aphrodisiac foods (such as chocolate, coffee, fish, avocado and some herbs) may also improve your mood and desire for connection, leading to higher release. Risks and side effects Are there any oxytocin supplement...

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‘Love Hormone’ Revealed to Have Heart Healing Properties

AHA Publisher — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Frontiers via Newswise – The neurohormone oxytocin is well-known for promoting social bonds and generating pleasurable feelings, for example from art, exercise, or sex. But the hormone has many other functions, such as the regulation of lactation and uterine contractions in females, and the regulation of ejaculation, sperm transport, and testosterone production in males. Now, researchers from Michigan State University show that in zebrafish and human cell cultures, oxytocin has yet another, unsuspected, function: it stimulates stem cells derived from the heart’s outer layer (epicardium) to migrate into its middle layer (myocardium) and there develop into cardiomyocytes, muscle cells that generate heart contractions. This discovery could one day be used to promote the regeneration of the human heart after a heart attack. The results are published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. “Here we show that oxytocin, a neuropeptide also known as the love hormone, is capable of activating heart repair mechanisms in injured hearts in zebrafish and human cell cultures, opening the door to potential new therapies for heart regeneration in humans,” said Dr Aitor Aguirre, an assistant professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering of Michigan State University, and the study’s senior author. Stem-Like Cells Can Replenish Cardiomyocytes Cardiomyocetes typically die off in great numbers after a heart attack. Because they are highly specialized cells, they can’t replenish themselves. But previous studies have shown that a subset of cells in the epicardium can undergo reprogramming to become stem-like cells, called Epicardium-derived Progenitor Cells (EpiPCs), which can regenerate not only cardiomyocytes, but also other types of heart cells. “Think of the EpiPCs as the stonemasons that repaired cathedrals in Europe in the Middle Ages,” explained Aguirre. Unfortunately for us, the production of EpiPCs is inefficient for heart regeneration in humans under natural conditions. Zebrafish Could Teach Us How to Regenerate Hearts More Efficiently Enter the zebrafish: famous for their extraordinary capacity for regenerating organs, including the brain, retina, internal organs, bone, and skin. They don’t suffer heart attacks, but its many predators are happy to take a bite out of any organ, including the heart – so zebrafish can regrow their heart when as much as a quarter of it has been lost. This is done partly by proliferation of cardiomyocytes, but also by EpiPCs. But how do the EpiPCs of zebrafish repair the heart so efficiently? And can we find a ‘magic bullet’ in zebrafish that could artificially boost the production of EpiPCs in humans? Yes, and this ‘magic bullet’ appears to be oxytocin, argue the authors. To reach this conclusion, the authors found that in zebrafish, within three days after cryoinjury – injury due to freezing – to the heart, the expression of the messenger RNA for oxytocin increases up to 20-fold in the brain. They further showed that this oxytocin then travels to the zebrafish epicardium and binds to the oxytocin receptor, triggering a molecular cascade that stimulates local cells to expand and develop into EpiPCs. These new EpiPCs then migrate to the zebrafish myocardium to develop into cardiomyocytes, blood vessels, and other important heart cells, to replace those which had been lost. Similar Effect on Human Tissue Cultures Crucially, the authors showed that oxytocin has a similar effect on human tissue in vitro. Oxytocin – but none of 14 other neurohormones tested here – stimulates cultures of human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hIPSCs) to become EpiPCs, at up to twice the basal rate: a much stronger effect than other molecules previously shown to stimulate EpiPC production in mice. Conversely, genetic knock-down of the oxytocin receptor prevented the the regenerative activation of human EpiPCs in culture. The authors also showed that the link between oxytocin and the stimulation of EpiPCs is the important ‘TGF-β signaling pathway’, known to regulate the growth, differentiation, and migration of cells. Aguirre said: “These results show that it is likely that the stimulation by oxytocin of EpiPC production is evolutionary conserved in humans to a significant extent. Oxytocin is widely used in the clinic for other reasons, so repurposing for patients after heart damage is not a long stretch of the imagination. Even if heart regeneration is only partial, the benefits for patients could be enormous.” Aguirre concluded: “Next, we need to look at oxytocin in humans after cardiac injury. Oxytocin itself is short-lived in the circulation, so its effects in humans might be hindered by that. Drugs specifically designed with a longer half-life or more potency might be useful in this setting. Overall, pre-clinical trials in animals and clinical trials in humans are necessary to move forward.” To read the original article click here.

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Benefits of Human Touch: Spooning Relieves Stress, Improves Sleep & Deepens Connection

AHA Publisher — Mon, 16 May 2022 07:31:28 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Perhaps when you’re spooning with your partner at night, sleeping or resting in a connected, intimate position, you’re not thinking about the potential health benefits. It turns out that spooning impacts hormones in a way that the position affects your mood, sleep, immune system and pain levels. Just like the benefit of hugs, spooning creates a sense of connection and boosts the release of happy hormones. It’s also warming and fosters a sense of security. Although it’s often linked to intimacy, spooning doesn’t necessarily have to be for romantic partners only, as this type of extended cuddling can be beneficial for children’s mental and emotional health, too. What Is Spooning? Spooning is a position loved ones take when they are cuddling or sleeping. It’s been coined “spooning” because it looks similar to two spoons stacked together sideways: One person hugs another from behind, facing the same direction. Spooning is a position that’s often used by romantic partners but can also be for children and parents. There are varying degrees of intimacy depending on the relationship between the two “spoonees,” but no matter what, the position offers a sense of comfort and security. It can become more intimate when arms and legs are intertwined while spooning. Benefits There are both physical and psychological benefits of spooning, which mostly come from the production of happy hormones and reduction of stress hormones. Here are some of the benefits of spooning explained: 1. Boosts Oxytocin Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone,” and when it’s released, it influences our mood, behavior and physiology. Increased oxytocin provides feelings of contentment and decreased anxiety. It supports social bonding and has calming effects. A study published in Biological Psychology examined 59 premenopausal women before and after warm contact and hugging with their husbands or partners. Researchers found that frequent hugs between partners were associated with higher oxytocin levels and lower blood pressure. 2. Improves Partner Connection Physical contact like spooning can improve partner connection and provide a sense of togetherness and security. Researchers indicate that cuddling is a key expression of intimacy, and a questionnaire involving 514 participants found that when cuddling occurred among partners frequently and for long durations, it’s viewed very positively. Spooning can improve your intimate relationship with your partner because it allows you to feel cared for, wanted and supported. It helps build trust within a relationship and fosters a sense of love and safety. 3. Reduces Stress The boost of oxytocin you get when spooning your partner helps decrease the stress hormone cortisol, which is produced as part of your fight or flight response to stress. Close physical contact also activates sensory neurons in the brain and promotes the production of dopamine, a hormone that’s associated with motivation, satisfaction and pleasure. 4. Improves Sleep If you’ve ever wondered about the impact of hormones on the body, consider the simple act of touching or hugging for an extended period of time. The increase of happy and calming hormones that occurs not only helps reduce stress, but improves your sleep, too. Spooning before falling asleep creates a calming and soothing feeling because of the production of oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. We know from research that the neurotransmitter serotonin, for example, is very much involved in sleep preparation, triggering and maintenance. 5. Provides Comfort The closeness that occurs while spooning can be extremely comforting, which is why it doesn’t just have to be for intimate partners, but can put a child at ease, too. If you’ve ever had an infant who won’t fall asleep in her crib but falls fast asleep when you’re close to her in bed, you understand the sense of security and comfort that exists for babies, children and adults when being cuddled. 6. Boosts Immune System It may seem odd that spooning can actually boost immune system health, but it’s true because of the role this kind of close contact has on our hormones. Research indicates that oxytocin has anti-inflammatory and pro-immune adaptive functions. There’s even research suggesting that increased hugging and perceived support are able to reduce signs of illness when participants are exposed to a virus that causes the common cold. 7. Eases Pain Research shows that prolonged elevated cortisol can cause increased inflammation and pain. Close contact like hugging or spooning for an extended period of time can reduce cortisol in the body, which relaxes the body, reduces blood pressure and increases the body’s pain thresholds. This means that spooning can actually ease pain because the body is not in a state a stress, but in a state of relaxation instead. How to Do It Tradition spooning is when the taller person lays behind the shorter one, facing the same direction, and hugs that person from behind. The person in the back may wrap his or her arms around the person in the front, and sometimes the couple’s legs are intertwined. How much spooning is enough to reap these potential health benefits? Spooning for 10 minutes or more allows for the production of happy hormones and reduction of stress hormones. Risks and Side Effects As you’ve read, spooning benefits your mental, emotional and physical health. It’s a comforting position that can also boost intimacy between romantic partners. Does it have to be sexual? Absolutely not — depending on the relationship, it can simple be another way to cuddle and show love. While the position is warming and comforting, it may not be the best sleep position for the entire night. It may lead to a stiff arm or legs, so simply come out of the position when it’s no longer comfortable. Conclusion Spooning is a position that loved ones take when they are cuddling or sleeping. The spooning position was given its name because it looks similar to two spoons stacked together sideways. There are several benefits of spooning, which come from its affects on hormone production. This type of cuddling promotes the production of happy hormones and reduces stress hormones, leaving you feeling more relaxed, connected and at ease. To read the original article click here.

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The Medical Minute: Doing for Others Lifts Your Mood and Improves Your Health

AHA Publisher — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 08:00:03 +0000

Penn State Health via Newswise – In the early days of the pandemic, Dr. Angel Schuster kept herself mostly isolated from friends and family. Although the situation has improved, the continued spread of COVID-19 means her long shifts as a pediatric emergency physician for Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center are often the closest she gets to a major outing. That started to change when, as the department’s vice chair for diversity, equity and inclusion, she decided to coordinate a community health fair for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national day of service celebrated on the third Monday in January each year. Planning for a community-building event turned out to be the perfect release. “One of the many reasons why community involvement is part of our mission is because we know that when you are doing for others it really lifts your mood,” Schuster said. “As a physician, when I have a chance to participate in something like a health fair, it helps me remember that I’m here to take care of people and make their lives better when I can. It is one of the things that I find very uplifting.” Those good feelings you get from helping others are universal no matter what your occupation, says Brooke Hertzler, a clinical psych specialist and licensed clinical social worker with Penn State Health Behavioral Health Services at Holy Spirit Medical Center. And, they are good for your body too. “Biologically, giving or doing an act of service can positively activate chemicals in our brain that release positive hormones,” Hertzler said. Studies show serving others is linked to increasing serotonin in the brain, a key hormone that stabilizes mood, provides feelings of well-being and happiness, she said. “It also can activate a dopamine neurotransmitter, which helps us feel pleasure and satisfaction. In addition, that same act of service or kindness releases oxytocin, a hormone often linked to empathy and trust,” Hertzler said. She believes so strongly in these positive effects that she often encourages her patients to volunteer or find a way to take time out of their day to help others. “It is something we talk about frequently. I try to find out what they like to do, what their strengths are and how they can use those strengths to help others,” she said. A big part of reaping the rewards is taking the time to reflect on how serving others makes you feel. Ninety-nine percent of Hertzler’s patients say it uplifted them and helped their mood. “Sometimes doing the act of kindness can be an awakening as well that allows you to reflect and tune into the things in your life that you are grateful for,” she said. “I believe that the positivity of doing acts of service or kindness promotes a positive energy in the world that is much needed right now.” To read the original article click here.

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Maternal Voice Reduces Pain in Premature Babies

AHA Publisher — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 07:00:07 +0000

Université de Genève (University of Geneva) via Newswise – A baby born prematurely often has to be separated from its parents and placed in an incubator in intensive care. For several weeks, he or she will undergo routine medical procedures that can be painful, without being relieved by too many pharmaceutical painkillers, which are risky for his or her development. So how can we act for the good of the baby? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), in collaboration with the Parini Hospital in Italy and the University of Valle d’Aosta, observed that when the mother spoke to her baby at the time of the medical intervention, the signs of the baby’s expression of pain decreased and his oxytocin level – the hormone involved in attachment and also linked to stress – increased significantly, which could attest to better pain management. These results, to be read in the journal Scientific Reports, demonstrate the importance of parental presence with premature babies, who are subjected to intense stress from birth, a presence that has a real impact on their well-being and development. As soon as they are born before 37 weeks of gestation, premature babies are separated from their parents and placed in an incubator, often in intensive care. They have to undergo daily medical interventions, necessary to keep them alive (intubation, blood sampling, feeding tube, etc.), which have potential impacts on their development and pain management. The difficulty? It is not always possible to relieve them with pharmaceutical painkillers, as the short and long term side effects on their neurological development can be significant. There are other ways to relieve the baby, such as wrapping, restraint, sugar solutions or non-nutritive sucking with a teat. However, for several years now, studies have shown that the presence of a mother or father has a real calming effect on the child, particularly through the emotional modulations of the voice. This is why the team of Didier Grandjean, full professor at the Psychology Section of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (FPSE) and at the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences (CISA) of the UNIGE, has been interested in the early vocal contact between the mother and the premature baby, in the impact of the mother’s voice on the management of pain resulting from the routine practices necessary for the follow-up of the babies, and in the psychological and cerebral mechanisms that would be involved. Including the Mother in the Heel Prick To test this hypothesis, the scientists followed 20 premature babies at the Parini Hospital in Italy and asked the mother to be present during the daily blood test, which is done by extracting a few drops of blood from the heel. “We focused this study on the maternal voice, because in the first days of life it is more difficult for the father to be present, due to working conditions that do not always allow days off”, says Dr. Manuela Filippa, a researcher in Didier Grandjean’s group and first author of the study. The study was conducted in three phases over three days, allowing for comparison: a first injection was taken without the mother being present, a second with the mother talking to the baby and a third with the mother singing to the baby. The order of these conditions changed randomly. “For the study, the mother started talking or singing five minutes before the injection, during the injection and after the procedure”, says the Geneva researcher. We also measured the intensity of the voice, so that it would cover surrounding noise, as intensive care is often noisy due to ventilations and other medical devices. Signs of Pain Expression Significantly Reduced First, the research team observed whether the baby’s pain decreased in the presence of the mother. To do this, they used the Preterm Infant Pain Profile (PIPP), which establishes a coding grid between 0 and 21 for facial expressions and physiological parameters (heartbeat, oxygenation) attesting to the baby’s painful feelings. “In order to code the behavior of premature babies, we filmed each blood test and judged the videos ‘blind’, by trained personnel, without sound, so as not to know whether the mother was present or not”, notes Didier Grandjean. The results are significant: the PIPP is 4.5 when the mother is absent and drops to 3 when the mother talks to her baby. “When the mother sings, the PIPP is 3.8. This difference with the spoken voice can be explained by the fact that the mother adapts her vocal intonations less to what she perceives in her baby when she sings, because she is in a way constrained by the the melodic structure, which is not the case when she speaks”, emphasizes the Geneva professor. Maternal Voice Induces an Increase in Oxytocin The scientists then looked at what changes in the baby when it hears its mother speak. “We quickly turned to oxytocin, the so-called attachment hormone, which previous studies have already linked to stress, separation from attachment figures and pain”, explains Dr. Manuela Filippa. Using a painless saliva sample before the mother spoke or sang and after the heel prick, the research team found that oxytocin levels rose from 0.8 picograms per milliliter to 1.4 when the mother spoke. “In terms of oxytocin, this is a significant increase”, she says. These results show the positive impact of the mother’s presence when premature babies undergo painful medical procedures. “We demonstrate here the importance of bringing parents and child together, especially in the delicate context of intensive care”, Manuela Filippa emphasizes. “Furthermore, parents play a protective role here and can act and feel involved in helping their child to be as well as possible, which strengthens the essential attachment bonds that are taken for granted in a full-term birth”, concludes Didier Grandjean. To read the original article click here.

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Stress Hormones: How Diet Affects Hormonal Balance

AHA Publisher — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 07:52:37 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – Stress is a major issue literally everyone deals with in way or another, and chronic stress is a problem like never before. That’s why it’s so vital to keep your stress hormones in check. In a podcast episode with Dr. Anna Cabeca, DO, FACOG, I talked with the board-certified gynecologist and obstetrician, hormonal health expert, and best-selling author of books like “The Hormone Fix” and “Keto Green 16” about some of the major stress hormones and how to eat to beat stress. What Are Stress Hormones? When we talk about stress hormones, cortisol typical tops the list, and for good reason. It is called the primary stress hormone, after all. It’s released when we’re under pressure and triggers the fight or flight survival response. However, cortisol isn’t the only stress hormone, and truthfully, it may not even be the most important of the stress hormones. That title could just as easily be reserved for insulin. While most people think of diabetes when discussing this hormone, insulin is related to weight gain, PCOS, low testosterone and, of course, blood sugar levels. In addition, insulin can affect almost every hormone in the body and certainly has a major impact on stress. “I always say oxytocin is the master hormone,” Dr. Cabeca says. “If you would consider oxytocin the dean of the university, the professors would be insulin and cortisol, and the student body is the rest of the hormones.” Other stress hormones besides cortisol and insulin include: Adrenaline Norepinephrine Catecholamines Vasopressin Corticotropin-releasing hormone ACTH Gonadotropins Thyroid Hormones Growth Hormone Prolactin How Diet Affects Hormones What are the biggest things in terms of diet that are really throwing our hormones out of whack today? “Definitely it’s sugar,” Dr. Cabeca says. “The brain fog, the memory loss, the … increased risk of dementia — all of that coming into a diet that is too high in sugar and creates insulin resistance so we have a harder time using the glucose that we do have. “The second thing is actually a practice that’s so hormonally disruptive to women and men, and that is snacking throughout the day. Three meals, three snacks — how did that ever come about?” The snacking habit can wreak havoc on stress because of the way it affects stress hormones. When we snack, it bumps up insulin, which affects the rest of our hormones, and insulin goes up every time we eat. Thus, the more we snack, the more insulin goes up, helping create insulin resistance. It also creates a roller coaster for hormonal balance, with large fluctuations affecting everything from our moods to gut health and, yes, stress levels. How to Eat to Beat Stress What’s the No. 1 thing you can do to get your hormones in balance and keep stress hormones in check? “I consider breaking up with sugar one of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself,” Dr. Cabeca says. Here are some other tips she shares: Practice Intermittent Fasting There are many benefits of intermittent fasting, and that includes helping manage stress. Going without food for an extended period of time puts the body in ketosis, switching from using glucose to fuel the brain to ketones as brain fuel. “Always try to keep at least four hours between meals because you need to get your body sensitized to glucose again and to insulin again and shift to using ketones for fuel,” says Dr. Cabeca. Follow a Green Keto Diet “There are many ways to do keto. What’s going to create the best metabolic stability, the best hormone balance? Through my own experience with keto that’s where I discovered how important the green aspect is,” Dr. Cabeca says. Monitor Urine pH Levels According to Dr. Cabeca, urine pH levels can show how well we’re managing stress. “It’s as important as our blood pressure, as important as our heart rate, as important as our weight,” she says. “… The more cortisol we secrete, the more acidic our urine pH is. Even vegan, plant-based eaters can be acidic if they’re stressed, if they’re worried, if they are inflamed, if they have too much carbs in their system.” Pinpoint Outside Stressors “It’s not just about what you eat. Maybe it’s about who you’re eating with — are they stressing you out? If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter how amazing your food is,” Dr. Cabeca shares. Avoid Toxins “We are what we eat ate,” Dr. Cabeca says. “It’s important to consider not just what they ate, but how they lived and how they died. That comes into play with additional stress hormones getting into our system and how that can really affect our physiology.” You want to avoid foods sprayed with herbicides or pesticides, along with animals that have eaten foods that contain harmful toxins. Why? They can act as endocrine disruptors that throw hormones out of balance. Don’t Eat Too Late “We know if we eat after 7 p.m., our body’s going to increase more of that insulin hormone as much as 30% to 70% compared to the same meal we ate before 7 p.m. That’s huge,” Dr. Cabeca says. Stress-Busting Foods/Supplements Here are some of the top foods Dr. Cabeca recommends to manage stress hormones: Dark leafy greens/cruciferous vegetables — kale, beet greens, Swiss chard, collard greens Healthy fats — olive oil, avocado, MCT oil, coconut oil, wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef, bison Omega-3 fish oil — make sure it’s high-quality and contains EPA, DHA and DHEA Adaptogens — maca root, ashwagandha, rhodiola, ginseng, astragalus, turmeric Melatonin Magnesium Vitamin D What does a typical day of eating look like for Dr. Cabeca? She shared an example of her daily eating routine: Wakeup time: Hydrate with alkaline water and a shot of maca. “The body has been detoxing and rejuvenating all night. We want to hydrate well in the morning and support our body’s natural detoxification process.” Breakfast: Fried egg served over spinach and arugula with a side of tomatoes and some organ meat on the side. “Our plates are 75% green or combined with additional alkalinizers, sprinkled with olive oil, lemon juice, some herbs and spices.” Lunch: Usually skip lunch as part of intermittent fasting. “We work to get a 16-hour fast.” Dinner: Salmon cakes, poaching salmon, add additional alkalinizers right there into protein and fats. Add in great mayo, eggs or additional fats and protein, instead of a binder such as bread crumbs or flour, use a little chickpea flour. It adds a nice spice and stays low-carb. You could use a nut flour just as easily. Add some celery, cilantro, onions, dill, Himalayan sea salt. Serve with aioli side and some asparagus. After dinner: Cup of tea before bed. Final Thoughts Dr. Cabeca signed off with a vital message to keep stress hormones in balance: “If our body’s not having to constantly produce insulin and cortisol to fight inflammation often caused by glucose as well as stress, if our body’s not fighting those hormones and we have more of our own natural progesterone and DHEA, these are hormones that build us back up, that give us healthy breasts, a healthy mind and strong bones as well as an empowered immune system. “When our body’s not constantly putting out fires with insulin and cortisol, then we can really build our body back up and create a really strong, resilient body. “It stars with an early morning ritual based on appreciation, gratitude and meditation, and then an evening ritual that sets us up to get a fabulous night’s sleep.” To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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How to Hack Brain Chemicals to Boost Happiness

AHA Publisher — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 08:00:45 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Most people understand that the brain regulates mood, but how exactly does that happen? While scientists continue to explore and learn about how brain function is linked to emotional health, they do know that brain chemicals play a critical role. Our brain chemicals serve as messengers, sending signals to nerves throughout the brain that impact the way we feel. Did you know that there are simple ways to boost the release and action of our happy hormones? It’s true — small actions can positively impact mood, energy and state-of-mind all because of feel-good brain chemicals. What Are Brain Chemicals? There are millions, or even billions, of chemical reactions occurring in the brain at any given moment. These reactions make up the dynamic system that controls mood, perception and more. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that send messages from neuron to neuron. Neurons (or nerves) are present throughout the brain and work to send and receive messages. Researchers have found that electrical and chemical signals allow for communication within and between neurons. This is how the brain communicates with itself. Neurotransmitters can be classified into two categories: excitatory and inhibitory. Excitatory messengers work to stimulate brain activity, while inhibitory messengers slow down the chemical reactions. Types/Varieties When it comes to understanding the chemical network within the brain, you need to know about the key players: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins. These brain chemicals, or “feel good hormones,” have a major impact on your mood, and they play a role in your mental, emotional and physical health. When we feel happy, safe, proud or connected, our bodies release these brain chemicals. 1. Dopamine Dopamine is known as the “feel good hormone” because it supports reward regulations in the brain. It plays a critical role in everyday behaviors, like how we feel, move and eat. In moments of pleasure or reward, we get a rush of this brain chemical. On the flip side, when dopamine levels are too low, we can feel helpless and less motivated. Dopamine is strongly linked to the brain’s reward system. It promotes feelings of reinforcement and motivation and modulates learning. Research also links dopamine to behavioral effects on movement, cognition and timing. After finishing a task, being complimented or celebrating a small victory, you get a rush of dopamine. 2. Oxytocin Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” because it plays a role in many aspects of social bonding and sexual pleasure. The effects of oxytocinproduction are the opposite of what occurs after a cortisol release. We feel calmer, with a sense of joy and security. Research indicates that oxytocin enforces pro-social behaviors and bonding. When we are excited about a social engagement, we actually get a burst of oxytocin, which makes us want to socialize even more. Oxytocin also boosts our ability to react to stress in a healthy way. 3. Serotonin Serotonin plays a role in a range of neuropsychological processes. As a brain chemical, it works to regulate mood, energy balance, motor function, pain perception, appetite and cardiovascular function. Research on serotonin shows that the neurotransmitter is involved in the regulation of many key activities, including behaviors, mood and memory. This is why serotonin is used as a primary treatment for a number of disorders, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, anxiety, aggressive behavior, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. 4. Endorphins Endorphins are a group of chemical substances that are known as “opiate peptides.” Endorphins like enkephalins and dynorphins are associated with feelings of euphoria, pleasure, sexuality and pain relief. Endorphins promote a sense of well-being and even feelings of bliss. On the other hand, low levels of endorphins are linked to emotional and physical pain, risk-taking behaviors, and an increased risk of addiction. Endorphins serve as natural opiate peptide chemicals that have a lot in common with prescription anti-anxiety drugs and opiates. Studies show that when these brain chemicals are released, they help manage pain, provide a sense of euphoria and promote feelings of pleasure. How to Hack Happiness Hormones 1. Eat Healthy Foods Did you know that simply eating nourishing foods can promote the production of your happy hormones, like dopamine? In fact, some foods are called “brain foods” because they help release neurotransmitters. Some of the best foods for your happy hormones include: good-quality protein beans nuts seeds healthy fats antioxidant fruits and veggies 2. Play With Your Pet Playing with a pet can certainly boost your brain chemicals, especially oxytocin, which is your “love hormone.” If you have a pet, petting him or her or playing around is actually great for your own mood and well-being. No pet? That’s what friends and neighbors are for! 3. Hug Someone Want to boost your oxytocin naturally? Bring it in for the real thing. Hugs bring on feelings of comfort, togetherness and joy. Humans benefit from several hugs a day — and make sure they last about 20 seconds or longer. The “extended hug” is really what gets your love hormone going. 4. Take a Walk Outdoors I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’re reading that walks outside are good for your health. It’s grounding and brings on feelings of peace and relaxation. It does this by promoting the production of serotonin, which regulates your mood, energy levels and pain perception. 5. Exercise Exercise or any form of physical activity is a great way to boost serotonin levels. This can be running, swimming, cycling, weight lifting, yoga and more. Moving your body and getting your blood pumping leave you feeling energized and in a better mood. 6. Give Someone a Compliment Did you know that giving someone a compliment can improve your mood too? Little gestures like this increase the release of oxytocin, making you feel loved, forgiving, protected and secure. 7. Joke Around With Friends Laughing increases endorphins, the brain chemicals that are associated with pleasure, motivation and social connection. Simply joking around with friends can impact your mood and even help relieve pain. 8. Watch Comedy If you aren’t in a social setting, you can still boost those endorphins by watching a comedy and LOLing. Any form of laughter is going to boost those brain chemicals and help improve feelings of sadness or isolation. 9. Hold Hands What better way to increase oxytocin levels than to do a little hand-holding? Holding hands promotes the release of your love hormone and causes feelings of togetherness. Oxytocin also makes you feel safe and happy, and it helps your body deal with stress properly. 10. Show Kindness Small acts of kindness can lead to happiness and a sense of peace. That’s because it helps increase the work of brain chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine. Do something simple, like holding the door for a stranger, getting involved in a fundraiser or even simply smiling at a co-worker. 11. Spend Time in the Sun Ever wonder why you feel so relaxed after spending time in the sun? It helps increase serotonin, for starters. Serotonin improves your mood, memory, digestion and wound healing, so don’t miss your daily dose of sunshine if you can help it. 12. Get a Massage The sense of touch promotes the production of oxytocin and leaves you feeling less stressed, more connected and at peace. Getting a professional massage is a great way to boost your overall wellness, or asking a loved one for a short massage works too! Massage therapy boosts happy hormones and even raises your immunity. 13. Complete a Task You know that feeling you get when you complete a task? It’s a feeling of accomplishment, some excitement, a little warmth within. That’s a boost of dopamine, your reward center saying you’ve done a great job. Whenever you complete a mask, celebrate for a few seconds, and feel your neurotransmitters do their work. Risks and Side Effects These are easy and natural ways to boost your happy hormones, or brain chemicals. There are no risks or side effects to taking these small steps to promote a better mood and greater happiness. If you try these actions but feel like you can’t get out of a slump, seek advice from your health care professional. Conclusion Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that send messages from one neuron (or nerve) to another. Millions, if not billions, of messages are sent throughout your brain at any given moment. The release of brain chemicals, or happy hormones, has a significant impact on your mood, perception, energy, digestion and more. The happy hormones that you can boost naturally are serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins. Simple acts like laughing with friends, holding hands, eating a healthy meal and walking outdoors can help increase the levels of these feel-good hormones. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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How Many Hugs a Day Does a Person Need? (Plus Top Hug Benefits)

AHA Publisher — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:00:15 +0000

Rachel Keck, MS via Dr. Axe – A hug is universal. Hugs are so versatile, people all around the world use them to express everything from joy and affection to sadness and despair. During times of social, emotional and mental turmoil, individuals seek out the comfort and social bonding that hugs bestow. Some people even believe a hug is at the heart of humanity since it has the ability to transcend race, religion, gender and age. In fact, being a professional hugger and/or cuddler is a legitimate job. Professional huggers and cuddlers provide hug benefits to people during all different points of their lives. For instance, some specialize in using this touch therapy on premature babies in neonatal intensive care units. Other hug and cuddle professionals focus on nursing home or hospice situations, while others are available for hire by anyone in need of human touch. Similarly, Ken Nwadike Jr., a peace activist and founder of the Free Hugs Project, attends rallies and protests to spread love and compassion. During the 2016 protests in Charlotte, Nwadike wore a “free hugs” T-shirt and was captured sharing hugs during a time of riots, protesting and intense emotion. How to Hug During a Pandemic During a pandemic, keeping social distance is important. We also know about the importance of human connection, so if you’re going to hug a loved one, there are ways you can do it more safely. For starters, both huggers should wear masks. During your embrace, put your faces in opposite directions in order to reduce the risk of exposure. For children, hugging an adult around the waist is safer. You should also keep your hugs brief during a pandemic. It’s also helpful to wash hands after hugging and avoid making contact with someone’s skin. Although the idea of changing up your hugging may seem strange, it’s best to make these little adjustments right now so we can continue occasional close contact with loved ones while keeping them safe. How Many Hugs a Day Does a Person Need? How many hugs a day does a person need? Although not technically proven by science, the late psychotherapist Virginia Satir once said: “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” Although these numbers aren’t an exact science, it suggests that we could probably all stand to give (and receive) more hugs every day. There is a pretty large body of research proving the importance of hugs and physical contact. It’s not only the amount of hugs you give or receive in a day, but the amount of time that the hug lasts that’s important. While the average length of a hug is about three seconds, some researchers suggest that longer hugs, lasting 20 seconds or more, are even more therapeutic for the body and mind. The science behind a longer hug being better comes from the oxytocin release that occurs during an extended hug. This “love hormone” is able to calm our anxiety and ease our fears. Benefits of Hugs In order to understand the benefits of hugs, we have to first take a look at the sensory pathway involved. When an individual is hugged, the sensory receptors in the skin are activated. There are several sensory receptors within the skin, and they respond to touch or distortion on the skin. Along with the sensory receptors, there are also sensory nerves that innervate the skin and respond to touch. One group in particular, the C-tactile afferents, play a major role in the effects of hugging and touch. Research shows that C-tactile afferents are found in hairy skin and respond optimally to a low-intensity, stroking touch, and they have been shown to fire most strongly to what people perceive as pleasant touch. These sensory nerves also play a prominent role in the touch hypothesis. This hypothesis states that the sensory nerves are developed to signal the rewarding value of physical contact. Once activated, the sensory receptors and nerves transduce the mechanical stimulation into electrical and chemical signals that travel along the peripheral nerve to the spinal cord and continue onto the opposite side of the brain. Sensory pathways activate brain regions associated with: Social bonding Pleasure Pain Now that we’ve got a little pathway education under our belts, let’s take a look at the fun part: hug benefits. 1. Vital for Healthy Childhood Development Ever wonder what a hug does? Turns out, hugs/human contact are a vital first part of life. Interaction through touch is so crucial to the human experience, especially to a child’s well-being. The sense of touch is widely believed to be the first of the senses that develops in utero. Immediately following the birth and the early stages of life, physical contact (skin-to-skin) between the mother/caregiver and the infant is crucial for child development. That’s why whether you’re having a natural childbirth or C-section, getting that mother-to-child, skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible is so very important. The touch of the mother enhances feelings of attachment, security and positive emotions. A 2010 study showed that babies with affectionate mothers grew up to be happy, resilient, less stressed and less anxious adults. Studies using EEG to measure brain activity have shown cuddling increases brain responses when infants are presented with displays of affection from parents, which may cause lasting effects on the way the brain builds connections. These interactions and new-forming brain connections enable children to learn how to manage stressful situations on their own and how to manage their emotions appropriately. On the other hand, children with little affection or skin-to-skin contact following birth have been shown to have cognitive, emotional and physical issues, as well as have an increase in cortisol levels. (Cortisol is the hormone commonly associated with stress.) In 2015, a study done at Notre Dame found that children experiencing just a small amount of touching and hugging in early infancy grew up to have worse health and more emotional problems compared to kids experiencing more hugs. This illustrates the damaging effects of a lack of affection. 2. Boosts Oxytocin Following activation of the C-tactile afferents, the “love” hormone, oxytocin, is released from the neurons projecting from the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that is part of the limbic system or reward system. It is responsible for regulation of many of the metabolic processes of the autonomic nervous system. Oxytocin is made within the hypothalamus and is largely known for its effects on social bonding. Studies indicate that neurons that produce oxytocin project widely throughout the brain, including into regulatory regions associated with social interaction, fear, aggression, calm and stress. While much of the oxytocin that is released acts on various structures that have an impact outside of the brain, some of the oxytocin remains within the brain and influences behavior, mood and physiology by acting on the limbic (emotion) center, stimulating the feeling of contentment, decreasing anxiety/stress and increasing social bonding. 3. Provides Immune System Support The increase of oxytocin also helps the effectiveness of the immune system. Yes, that’s right: Hugging can be considered a natural immune system booster. Hugging induces the “stress buffering effect” in which an individual who is hugged often is less likely to become sick due to stress-induced illness. Oxytocin acts on the pituitary gland to decrease the stress hormone cortisol. Along with a decrease in cortisol, the social support through physical contact also allows an individual to cope with stressful situations, rather than wearing down the immune system and leaving room for illness. A study in 2015 at Carnegie Mellon exposed healthy adults to the cold virus and found that individuals with social support had a decreased chance of getting sick due to the stress-induced buffering effects of hugging. The results concluded that those individuals who did get sick had less severe symptoms if they were hugged and had a stable social support than those that did not. Simultaneously, as the activated sensory receptors send signals to the brain, signals are also sent to the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the cranial nerve that helps mediate the parasympathetic response of the heart, lungs and digestive tract. This decreases the blood pressure, helping both individuals involved in the hug feel calmer. In animal studies, activation of the vagus nerve has also been shown to increase the release of oxytocin, decreasing the heart rate and cortisol, leaving the person feeling less stressed and more relaxed. 4. Produces “Chill Out” Neurotransmitters Several neurotransmitters are increased in the brain following the activation of the sensory neurons that play a role in the positive emotions associated with being touched. The neurotransmitter dopamine is associated with motivation, goals and reinforcing behavior. Research shows that hugging releases dopamine within the limbic pathway in the brain, creating feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Studies also indicate that another neurotransmitter, serotonin, is increased due to the activation of sensory receptors and leads to a general feeling of satisfaction and an increase in mood. It is through the increased release of oxytocin, in conjunction with the neurotransmitters, that creates the soothing and calming feelings one experiences following a hug. 5. Boosts Self-Esteem Hugging and human contact are critical for infants, children and adults. There are also associations of self-worth and tactile sensations that are established when we are babies, which have a lasting impact on our nervous system. Who knew that hugs have a major impact, even at a cellular level? Research shows that hugging is an effective means of conveying social support, which we know is so important for our self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Final Thoughts The simple act of human touch, including a hug, causes a cascade of events, beginning with the sensation of a touch on the skin traveling along nerves to the brain, causing changes that affect the entire body. Sensory receptors and nerves work together sending signals to the central nervous system to provide enough information for the individual to create an appropriate motor and emotional response. This allows an individual to engage with the environment through the neuronal processing of a touch stimulus, which leads to eliciting a response that is often emotional in nature. Hugging increases oxytocin and other neurotransmitters associated with happiness and pleasure, while decreasing stress hormones, blood pressure and heart rate. The overall general effects of hugging lead to an increase in social bonding, relaxation and a decrease in stress — and therefore result in a better quality of life. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Blueprint of Oxytocin Receptor Facilitates Development of New Autism Drugs

AHA Publisher — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:00:43 +0000

University of Zurich via EurekAlert – The so-called “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone” oxytocin is not only involved in strengthening the mother-child relationship and regulating social bonding. It also plays an important role in different mental health disorders like autism, Asperger’s syndrome, social anxiety or addiction vulnerability. Furthermore, oxytocin starts labor, the birth process, and features in many aspects of sexual reproduction – as well as corresponding disorders. The hormone exerts all these effects by binding to the oxytocin receptor. Substances that target the oxytocin receptor thus have great therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases. New Drugs Are Difficult to Develop Since its discovery nearly 30 years ago, researchers have tried to develop drugs that bind specifically to the oxytocin receptor. However, conducting such experiments proved to be very difficult. Except for the hormone oxytocin itself, hardly any drug targeting the oxytocin receptor has been approved for clinical use. A team led by Andreas Plückthun, professor at the Department of Biochemistry of the University of Zurich (UZH), has now determined the detailed three-dimensional structure of the oxytocin receptor bound to the drug candidate retosiban, which was developed for the suppression of preterm labor. “The elucidation of the oxytocin receptor’s structure was an extremely challenging undertaking, which only succeeded thanks to a combination of directed evolution and protein engineering methods we developed over the last few years,” says Plückthun. “Understanding the exact three-dimensional interaction of retosiban and the oxytocin receptor at the atomic level serves as the blueprint for developing new therapeutics that regulate the receptor’s functioning.” Improved Understanding of Receptor Mechanism The scientists also made an additional discovery. “To allow efficient propagation of oxytocin-induced signaling, the oxytocin receptor has to interact with two additional substances – cholesterol and magnesium,” says PhD candidate Yann Waltenspühl. Determining the exact receptor shape enabled the researchers to identify interaction regions for both of these substances. “The identification of these previously unknown regions fundamentally improves the understanding of the receptor mechanism,” adds the first author of the study. Boosting the Development of New Therapeutics for Other Diseases The new findings might also be directly applicable to the very closely related vasopressin receptors. The hormone vasopressin controls the water content of body fluids and the blood pressure, and its receptors are therefore drug targets for the treatment of many diseases – from kidney disease to heart failure. Just like the oxytocin receptor, the vasopressin receptors have also been implicated in autism spectrum disorders. “Our work could thus boost the development of new drugs for a very broad range of widespread and severe human diseases,” concludes Andreas Plückthun. To read the original article click here.

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