Oxytocin is Magic · 12:57pm Aug 15th, 2015
Let's take a brief look at the chemistry behind the magic of friendship and our love of all things cute and cuddly.
Vector: Artpwny
Oxytocin is a hormone produced by humans, ponies and other mammals. When we hug a friend, our brains release this neurotransmitter, a chemical signal to control how we feel and behave. Once in the blood, it induces feelings of comfort and happiness, motivating us to stay close and look after one another. Not quite the giddy high you get when falling in love, but a more wholesome positive feeling, promoting trust, loyalty, empathy and generosity towards others. This is the solid scientific justification for why hugs are fun. Handshakes (or hoof bumps) and simply hanging out with friends will also provide the chemical additive needed to make you feel all warm and fuzzy.
But there’s way more to it. Mothers are flooded with a megadose of oxytocin during childbirth and breastfeeding, which infuses them with the maternal superpowers needed to take on the formidable challenge of raising a baby. Dads receive the same benefit (albeit in smaller doses) through contact with a child. This is why being present during the birth of a child helps a father to bond with their offspring. But anyone can get a dose of this natural narcotic through contact with an infant. Which explains why holding babies feels so nice—even when they dribble all over you.
And it's not restricted to touching your own species. Studies have shown that softly stroking your cat, gazing into the eyes of your dog, and (presumably) caressing the shell of your beloved tortoise will have the same effect. (Although there doesn’t seem to be any published data on tortoises). Thus animal companions are of enormous therapeutic benefit, especially for people living alone, and can help us get through depression and personal problems. It may sometimes seem that your pet is emitting a chemical which makes you love them, but the chemistry is actually all happening inside your own body.
And what about plushies? If stroking a kitten induces oxytocin release, would snuggling your favorite pony toy have the same effect? Is there a scientific justification for our spending large amounts of money on silly toys? A perfectly plausible theory, but it seems this is where the evidence stops. The only report I found mentioning soft toys reports that in a study with children, stroking a toy dog did not release oxytocin nearly as efficiently as a real animal.
Looks like there is an opportunity for further research here. Children can form very strong bonds with their stuffed toys so it would be interesting to understand how the biochemistry differs from real friendships. But, fun though they are, it is clear that stuffed animals are no substitute for a real friend.
By mysticalpha
Not to be confused with oxycotin, which is something quite different.
Also, I find the lack of research about the biochemical benefits of pet tortoises both surprising and disappointing.
Thank you for writing this. It's important for everyone to know how the ponies are manipulating our neurotransmitters, defeating any resistance to their harmonious ways before it can start.
Another excellent blog. Thanks!
I wonder about the toy dog experiment. Depending on the age of the child and the experimental setup there could've been lots of other hard to control factors (like the child silently wishing it was a real dog)