Take oxytocin before a fight!
Taking the hormone oxytocin reduces the level of the stress hormone cortisol in spouses during quarrels, and also promotes positive behavior, according to an article published by Swiss psychologists in the journal Biological Psychiatry.
Previous studies have shown that the hormone oxytocin, present in the brain of mammals, including humans, regulates social behavior. In particular, it is responsible for a sense of trust.
Beate Ditzen from the Institute of Psychology at the University of Zurich and her colleagues investigated the role of the hormone in regulating partner behavior. Scientists asked 47 married couples aged 20 to 50 years to reproduce in the laboratory a quarrel over problems that most often cause them to disagree.
Before "making a scandal", some of the subjects received oxytocin in the form of a nasal spray, and some received a placebo (a physiologically inert substance).
The participants of the experiment measured the content of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva. Their behavior was recorded on video and analyzed by psychologists, who isolated elements of positive behavior – laughter, consent, listening, and negative – humiliation of a partner, the desire to interrupt him, criticism.
"Couples who received oxytocin behaved significantly more positively than couples who received a placebo," says Dietzen, whose words are quoted in the university's message.
Oxytocin, as the experiment showed, increased the duration of positive behavior. In addition, the subjects who received this hormone, the amount of cortisol was lower than in the group who received a placebo.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru09.12.2008