The hormone oxytocin is also called "trusting the hormone of love." And many simply do not reflect on its role in the human body. Meanwhile, it turns out, can bring to a sect! What? Why? Let's investigate.
Oxytocin - is both a hormone and neuropeptide (ie it transmits impulses from one nerve cell to another), produced in the hypothalamus. In women, it is involved in childbirth and breastfeeding, forms an attachment to the child. In the male body facilitates erection.
Social functions of oxytocin
Experiments conducted on dogs and chimpanzees as well as testsa group of volunteers from the number of people have shown that this hormone is responsible for:
- recognition of the familiar;
- division into "/ another's";
- empathy, empathy;
- formation of trust, affection;
- altruism;
- the pleasure of relations.
The list goes on and on. After all, oxytocin is involved in virtually every act of "good" behavior. It allows people to live in crowded, not killing each other.
Why do we need oxytocin?
People - gregarious creatures. Without fangs, claws and some special forces. And they need to "pack" flourished. So from time to time, all members must bend in a common cause. In addition to these important qualities in oxytocin, there is another, no less important: it can reduce stress and promotes good health.
Negative ability of oxytocin
However, not all as smoothly as we would like. Oversupply of oxytocin in the body makes it useful functions in the negative. If a lot of substance, it is:
- impairs memory;
- reduces learning ability;
- provokes a state of "defensive aggression";
- enhances the feeling of envy and malevolence;
- reduces anxiety where it is necessary, pushing the man to rash acts;
- increases suggestibility, causing excessive credulity (that's how people get into sects, for example);
- increases the tendency to lie.
In addition, oxytocin inhibits testosterone. The representatives of both sexes. Testosterone stimulates the "individual" behavior, oxytocin is not necessary. Thus, as a result of an overabundance of oxytocin in the body and lack of testosterone a man reborn as a completely horrible creature: inspires and deceitful, envious and quarrelsome, with a low libido and cognitive abilities, as well as a passion inseparably belong to a particular group.
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