Cat Promotes Oxytocin in Human: 5 Important Functions

Cat promotes oxytocin – largely known as cuddle hormone plays a crucial role in initiating social contact and maintain the relationship. When oxytocin produced, our ability to empathize and trust increase hugely. Ok, where does a cat come in? Interacting with a cat promotes oxytocin production in us. Let’s take a look at 5 functions oxytocin plays in our bodies and society.

Cat promotes oxytocin aka cuddle hormone in human

POINT BREEZE KINGDOM – EVENING

Servant H is lounging in a living room. Johnny comes in.

Hey, can I have a light snack for the evening? I have a long night to watch out if there is any intruder to our kingdom.

No, your majesty. You don’t really fulfill the responsibility to take care of intruders, as you just play with intruders such as ants and not hunt them down. No snack.

You sound too harsh on me. Nobody likes anyone who is too harsh, you know H?

Of course, they don’t. But you should be aware that you are king and king have to take his responsibility to stand as a king.

Ok, ok. Although I don’t hunt ants, I take care of a moth, right? Compromise with me. King is not perfect. Be gentle to your king, H.

Yes… I guess I’m little stressed out from the pressure I need to write stuff.

I see. So that you wanna relieve your stress and increase a sense of calmness and intimacy, right?

For sure.

I can be your help.

1. Stress Relief

Oxytocin protects people against stress, particularly in combination with a social support. It reduces cortisol in the body and lower blood pressure.

Oxytocin and oxytocin receptors have been found in the intestinal tract; it improves digestion. It supports you to be healthy from the gut and cope with the stress that we are highly exposed today.

A cat promotes oxytocin and your gut would be taken care of.

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2. Antidepressant-like Effects

Researchers found low levels of oxytocin cause new mothers to suffer from the postpartum syndrome. We are able to predict postpartum during the pregnancy if the expectant mother had low levels of oxytocin.

Recent studies of blood levels and genetic factors in depressed patients have revealed the potential for treating people with clinical depression.

3. Increase Generosity

Why people sometimes share or give away things often at their personal cost can be explained by the function of oxytocin[1].

Generosity is associated with both altruism as well as an emotional identification with another person. A study shows participants infused with Oxytocin are 80 % generous than others who were infused with placebo.

4. Reduces Social Fears

Oxytocin induces feelings of optimism, increase self-esteem, and build trust. Serotonin has the same kind of effect, but oxytocin works more in the context of social behaviors. It can help people with social anxieties and mood disorder as well. It’s being considered to help heal the wounds of a damaged relationship.

There are ample studies of treating autism with oxytocin, but it’s desired to have further researches done to see how it is effective and if there are any side-effects when it’s taken as medication.

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5. Increase Trust and Intimacy

Oxytocin is widely known to have the effect on mothers to establish intimacy and trust with their baby. It increases a sense of trust. There is an interesting study to show how oxytocin plays a role in trust.

In this study, participants who received intranasal oxytocin viewed photographs of human faces with neutral expressions and found them to be more trustworthy than those who did not receive oxytocin. They find faces more trustworthy after they are given intranasal oxytocin. When we feel intimacy, we disclose our emotional events in details and sharing them makes the bond stronger.

We see 5 elements how oxytocin works in a human body. Now, All of its power can be released just by touching me!

Whoa! You are saying oxytocin can be boosted just like serotonin level boosted by stroking you, your majesty?

Exactly. Oxytocin and serotonin work together to reduce the excitability of neurons. So you see how important to stroking me, keeping me happy, making you happy as well?

Absolutely. Even we don’t know these facts, already have received the benefits of stroking you.

Yeah. The smile on your face shows. Now you can make me happier with some treats, so you’ll be happier!

You are slick…

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Summary
We, humans, are social animals; oxytocin affects us to have less stress and maintain healthy social relationships. And a cat promotes oxytocin in human by just cuddling, touching. Even better, just looking at cats would promote oxytocin production in us.

Of course, you can do them with other human beings and receive the same benefit. But often times the interaction with no language speaking species have tremendous calming effect without feeling any pressure.

And in the end, it’s what makes us human, the oxytocin. A cat promote oxytocin in us easily. How wonderful to be able to trust and be kind to others by stroking a cat?

References

Do Cats Emit Something That Makes You Love Them? (the nest)
10 Reasons Why Oxytocin Is The Most Amazing Molecule In The World (io9)

Neuroscience: The hard science of oxytocin (nature)
Oxytocin: Facts About the ‘Cuddle Hormone’ (livescience)

[1]Oxytocin Increases Generosity in Humans (PLOS ONE)

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Also published on Medium.