Have you heard of the cuddle hormone oxytocin? It’s supposed to work wonders and put the dazzle back in troubled relationships. Some marriage counsellors say a good shot of oxytocin or the love drug can reconnect couples going through a rough patch. A daily dose of oxytocin is said to promote love and trust between couples.
Some health experts say low levels of oxytocin in the body could lead to intimacy issues. Oxytocin is best known as the bonding hormone. It is secreted during labour, breastfeeding, cuddling, and plays a role in nurturing maternal behaviour. But studies show that though oxytocin can reduce levels of the stress hormone, it is also linked with stressful situations like social isolation and unhappy relationships. Some researchers are therefore wondering if the hormone plays dual roles in the body. A recent study in the US shows that men whose relationships with their mothers were full of problems when they were growing up, had a worse relationship with them after taking the love drug. Those with close bonds became even more fond of their mothers. The study concludes that oxytocin may be an emotional enhancer, for better or for worse.
Some therapists say the bonding hormone may be effective in marital counselling, where husbands and wives must regularly address difficult issues. But other health experts have expressed concern about its safety and are skeptical about its effectiveness.
A clinic in Arizona in the US is already treating people with this love drug and say it works. It is also available with a prescription. But in spite of this, widespread use of oxytocin in therapy may be a long time off – if it happens at all. In the meantime, more studies are coming out about the love drug and maybe soon, there will be less break-ups in relationships and more dispensing of the cuddle drug.
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