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Severe oxytocin deficiency....almost no one talks about it, but it may be the underlying source of many of the physical, social, and psychiatric disorders in the world.
I wonder ~ how many people struggling emotionally, socially, and physically could be relieved through oxytocin?
Feeling close and emotionally connected with others is known to be physically protective...because it counters the effects of stress on the body. Stress is dangerous to the body over the long term, leading to all sorts of health problems. Oxytocin is the brain chemical that makes us feel connected to others, and it is released through physical displays of affection - like hugs between friends, sex between lovers, or petting/cuddling a beloved pet.
The hugs threads prompted Ni on this trail of thought. An article I had read about infant development being arrested by lack of affectionate physical touch came to mind...current research has even demonstrated that autism, a developmental disorder, is linked to low levels of oxytocin...and the social skills/emotional reading traits of those with autism and Aspergers can be improved through administration of synthetic oxytocin.
Then the mental trail diverged, and I began wondering...is it really the Mediterranean diet alone that is protective against heart disease, or is it also the Mediterranean oxytocin lifestyle? Mediterranean cultures are full of social touching, of the sort that prompts oxytocin release, and oxytocin does protect the heart against disease.
Those who say they need a hug, literally need a hug...it is a physical need ~ it is physically harmful to deprive those who want it, of friendly physical affection (although i don't advise trying to hug those who don't want to be hugged!!!). I wonder if the 'anti-touching' cultures are exposing themselves to more health risks by their touch avoidance. Clinical research has demonstrated an increase in empathy through administration of oxytocin, in those who already have a degree of empathy....I wonder how much some cultures, which have grown more cold and less caring over time, would see a return to gentleness through a revival of widespread physical affection? I wonder how many children would grow up without emotional and psychiatric disorders if they were touched affectionately more often by their parents?
I also wonder if moving to a more physically demonstrative culture...or hanging around people who are physically affectionate...or cuddling a pet...or reaching out and touching other hurting people in a loving way, could cure those who feel so emotionally disconnected and depressed as a result?
Thoughts?
I wonder ~ how many people struggling emotionally, socially, and physically could be relieved through oxytocin?
Feeling close and emotionally connected with others is known to be physically protective...because it counters the effects of stress on the body. Stress is dangerous to the body over the long term, leading to all sorts of health problems. Oxytocin is the brain chemical that makes us feel connected to others, and it is released through physical displays of affection - like hugs between friends, sex between lovers, or petting/cuddling a beloved pet.
The hugs threads prompted Ni on this trail of thought. An article I had read about infant development being arrested by lack of affectionate physical touch came to mind...current research has even demonstrated that autism, a developmental disorder, is linked to low levels of oxytocin...and the social skills/emotional reading traits of those with autism and Aspergers can be improved through administration of synthetic oxytocin.
Then the mental trail diverged, and I began wondering...is it really the Mediterranean diet alone that is protective against heart disease, or is it also the Mediterranean oxytocin lifestyle? Mediterranean cultures are full of social touching, of the sort that prompts oxytocin release, and oxytocin does protect the heart against disease.
Those who say they need a hug, literally need a hug...it is a physical need ~ it is physically harmful to deprive those who want it, of friendly physical affection (although i don't advise trying to hug those who don't want to be hugged!!!). I wonder if the 'anti-touching' cultures are exposing themselves to more health risks by their touch avoidance. Clinical research has demonstrated an increase in empathy through administration of oxytocin, in those who already have a degree of empathy....I wonder how much some cultures, which have grown more cold and less caring over time, would see a return to gentleness through a revival of widespread physical affection? I wonder how many children would grow up without emotional and psychiatric disorders if they were touched affectionately more often by their parents?
I also wonder if moving to a more physically demonstrative culture...or hanging around people who are physically affectionate...or cuddling a pet...or reaching out and touching other hurting people in a loving way, could cure those who feel so emotionally disconnected and depressed as a result?
Thoughts?