Oxytocin, the hormone of happiness ... and fidelity

Oxytocin, the hormone of happiness ... and fidelity

A simple hormone, oxytocin, makes men more faithful, according to German scientists. The less curious it is that a hormone that induces labor in women has this powerful effect in men

The effect of oxytocin on human happiness is well known. This hormone is released while we do sports, dance, sing or give a hug. Although it has been discovered that it is also responsible for fidelity between couples.

A scientific team led by Hurlemann (2010), from the University of Bonn, has indicated that this hormone administered in men increases fidelity. According to these results, oxytocin would strengthen monogamous relationships. In this way, we could call it the "fidelity hormone."

What is oxytocin?

Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and is necessary for childbirth and lactation. In addition, this hormone is directly involved in the creation of social bonds. Also, in increasing trust between individuals. Perhaps, if it is at its proper levels, our relationships with others are better, being more receptive and empathic with others.

When a hug lasts 20 seconds, oxytocin is released. It has very beneficial therapeutic effects on the body and mind for us.

A group of scientists wanted to study the role of oxytocin in maintaining monogamous relationships. In the research supervised by René Hurlemann (2010), they administered oxytocin or a placebo to a group of heterosexual men.

After half an hour, the men were shown a woman who would later describe as "seductive." The woman had to move around the volunteers, while the men were asked to indicate what they considered a "right distance" or a "dangerous distance."

The surprising result of the study

Experts discovered that married or partner men who were given oxytocin were kept a much greater distance when approached or were seduced by the attractive stranger, compared to those who received a placebo.

However, oxytocin caused another equally amazing result. It had no effect of any kind on singles. Previous research with mice already identified this hormone as the key to fidelity in the animal species.

The new study shows that oxytocin may have a similar role in humans. Oxytocin is known to increase trust in people. For that reason, men under the influence of the hormone were supposed to get even closer to the attractive woman, but quite the opposite happened, Hurlemann explains.

Men in a stable relationship who were given oxytocin were kept a greater distance from women than single men. In the latter, this hormone had no effect and behaved feeling attracted to the seductive woman.

It has been discovered that oxytocin has a great importance in infidelity in the couple.

More effects of oxytocin

The effect of oxytocin in monogamous men caused them to feel nothing and even reject the beautiful woman. Sometimes, even many of the men considered the woman unattractive, perhaps as a resource to maintain fidelity with their partner.

The scientists also realized that oxytocin had no effect on men if they were presented with another male. This study suggests that the general function of oxytocin is the promotion of a monogamous behavior that occurs in rodents and also in man.

What do you think about this study? We have discovered that this hormone that was previously only associated with happiness can now also have potential relevance infidelity in relationships. What else will we discover about her?