When we normally think about oxytocin — the so-called love hormone — we think of warmth, tenderness, and trust, the kinds of fuzzy feelings one might associate with walking on sunshine. In fact, oxytocin's considerable cuddle powers are why researchers are trying to bottle the stuff as a commercially viable nasal spray.
But it turns out that the hormone may also play a key role in triggering deep anxieties and emotional conflict, leaving scars that can last for years, if not decades. A new study by Jelena Radulovic of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine discovered that oxytocin actually strengthens the social anxieties we get from intense emotional pain, whether that's being bullied in school as a kid, or getting caught in the hopeless spin-cycle of an abusive relationship.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"ERK causes enhanced fear by stimulating the brain's fear pathways, many of which pass through the lateral septum. The region is involved in emotional and stress responses," Prof Radulovic explained.
"By understanding the oxytocin system's dual role in triggering or reducing anxiety, depending on the social context, we can optimize oxytocin treatments that improve well-being instead of triggering negative reactions." [Science News]
Oxytocin is often heralded as a magical hormone, the kind of cure-all that makes us nicer, gentler people. Previous studies have suggested that oxytocin can help diminish social fear, relieve stress, and make us more generous. The kinds of things, as George Dvorsky at io9 writes, that make humans human.
On the other hand, the latest findings seem to indicate that oxytocin has a dark side that we've only just begun to explore. Which, of course, is part of being human, too.
-
The ‘ravenous’ demand for Cornish mineralsUnder the Radar Growing need for critical minerals to power tech has intensified ‘appetite’ for lithium, which could be a ‘huge boon’ for local economy
-
Why are election experts taking Trump’s midterm threats seriously?IN THE SPOTLIGHT As the president muses about polling place deployments and a centralized electoral system aimed at one-party control, lawmakers are taking this administration at its word
-
‘Restaurateurs have become millionaires’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
