People are hostages of monogamy: how oxytocin makes us faithful
What forces can keep men—and women—in long-term monogamous relationships when there are so many temptations around? Researchers suggest that a hormone called oxytocin plays a key role. It is produced naturally in the body and has long been associated by scientists with feelings of love and trust.
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Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and plays an important role in processes such as the onset of labor and promoting breastfeeding. It is also known to help strengthen the bond between parents and children and between sexual partners. Interestingly, oxytocin is produced in response to affection from both pets and people. For example, oxytocin levels increase when we see our beloved dog.
It is this or another hormone that is responsible for the subjective feeling that a person seems “friendly” or “native” to us. Increasing the level of oxytocin in the body reduces anxiety and promotes contentment, calmness and, of course, confidence.
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In one study, researchers asked subjects to use a nasal spray containing either oxytocin or a placebo. The study involved 86 heterosexual men with an average age of about 25 years.
[not] love hormone | oxytocin
Oxytocin had no effect on lonely men. The hormone also did not affect the distance between participants.
This hormone helps us maintain trust in people. Men under the influence of the hormone expected the female experimenter to allow them to approach them. But everything happened quite the opposite, says study leader Rene Hellermann.
“We can therefore conclude that oxytocin allows males to remain faithful to their mates. Previous studies on prairie voles have shown that oxytocin is one of the main keys to monogamy in animals. Our current study provides evidence that this hormone may play a similar role in humans.
