By Leon Patsalides our European correspondent and writer
According to recent research at the University of California, San Francisco, the hormone best known for its role in inducing labour now seems also to influence our ability to bond intimately and sexually with others. It was originally considered responsible for inducing labour and subsequently milk ejection in nursing mothers.
(Ed: A couple of mothers ready for action…………..)
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However, scientists working in the field of sexology and anthropology think that oxytocin and its cousin vasopressin have positive health effects on both men and women. In the reproductive life of many mammals the hormone facilitates the drive for nest building and pup retrieval in rats, the acceptance of offspring in sheep, and the formation of adult pair-bonds in prairie voles. In humans, oxytocin stimulates milk ejection during lactation, uterine contraction during birth, and is released during sexual orgasm in both men and women.
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(Ed: Looks like some dopamine flowing here)
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Scientists have found that the human emotion of being in love is really down to a chemical addiction between people. Other research also links oxytocin, vasopressin and dopamine to deviant forms of sexual behaviour. In mammals such as rats, mice and voles it is directly linked to forming strong monogamous bonds and for identifying members of the same family or social group by virtue of the sense of smell. These hormones appear to correspond to different types of love, for example purely short-term physical attraction as in an illicit affair, close bonded marital fidelity or friendships and romantic love. Incidentally, the feeling of unrequited love or compulsion in humans is characterised by low levels of serotonin. Generally speaking, men are more attracted to youth and beauty, while women are more attracted to money, education and status. When an older, ugly man is seen walking down the road, arm-in-arm with a young and beautiful woman, most people assume the man is rich or powerful.
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(Ed:This dude must be a millionaire, click on the pic for more millionares and their gals…..)
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Certain illegal drugs such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine and ecstasy also appear to generate these hormonal messengers in the human brain giving rise to empathetic bonding, as well as compulsive or addictive behaviours.