A Loving Touch

Everyone knows not to go anywhere near a mama bear and her cubs. The maternalbond is truly fierce, and not just in animals! Human moms share a strongbond with their babies, too (so strong that particularly protective mothersare often compared to their furry animal counterparts!)

There is a biological reason for the ferocity of the maternal bond: oxytocin.During childbirth, the mother’s pituitary gland, which isa tiny almond sized gland towards the back of the brain, produces oxytocin, pumping it throughout the body. As the mother’s brain is floodedwith oxytocin, a number of fascinating things happen. Oxytocin acts asa muscle contractor, speeding up labor. It plays a role inpreparing the mother’s body to breastfeed. Finally, it fosters an emotional bond between mom and baby that is sostrong, researchers say it actually dims the memory of the pain of childbirth.

Oxytocin has always been thought of as a childbirth hormone. But oxytocinis actually responsible for the sense of bonding in any relationship,not just the relationship between moms and their children. Even men produceoxytocin. In fact, oxytocin is referred to as the love or cuddle hormone becauseit is released during any type of physical touch. Believe it or not,even petting an animal can cause your body to produce the hormone!

If you’re not a new parent, how do you benefit when your body producesoxytocin? You’ll be glad to know that oxytocin lowers stress, bringsdown blood pressure, and reinforces feelings of love, trust and generosity.

In honor of Valentine’s Day this month, naturally increaseyour levels of the love hormone with physical touch. Hugs and kisses are alwaysa great idea, but even a rub on the back can boost your oxytocin production.And if you’re lacking in the “significant other” department,spend time petting an animal or even flipping through an old photo albumand reminiscing about people you love. All these things can cause your”love hormone” meter to spike, nurturing the biological factorthat brings us all together.