oxytocin makes me fall in love

WELCOME TO OUR OXYTOCIN BLOG!!

We are a group of students from Dunman High School and we are here to tell you more about the hormone oxytocin!

[#o1] Read through our entries to learn more about oxytocin and the disastrous consequences of oxytocin malfunction!

[#o2] Interested to discuss more about oxytocin? Join our oxytocin forum to engage in interesting discussions with other readers!

[#o3] Think you know everything about oxytocin already? Try out our quiz and game!

[#o4] Feel that our blog can be improved further? Feedback to us through the tagboard!

Navigate using the links in black at the top.

Hope you enjoy reading (:

Wednesday, February 28, 2007 11:05 PM

HI EVERYONE OUT THERE!!

Time really flies!!! I can’t believe it was just a week ago when I found out about the absolutely AMAZING hormone, OXYTOCIN!

Imagine life without oxytocin... There will be so much less mutual trust between people, friends around us will become so hostile, and worse still, we would not have been able to enjoy the comfortable and generous love from our parents! Isn’t it scary just to THINK about it?

I have greatly enjoyed exploring into the world of oxytocin, and I am sure you readers out there share the same thoughts! Thank you for joining us in this journey of understanding ourselves and how our body functions (:

Research suggests that if a love potion does in fact exist, the mammalian hormone called oxytocin is likely the key ingredient. SO, OXYTOCIN IS MOST PROBABLY OUR LOVE POTION!

Enjoy the pictures below, and…..ALL THE WAY, OXYTOCIN!!!

Structure of Oxytocine

Trust in our FRIENDS!

Will oxytocin save the mother's life?

click to read about it

We hope that you've enjoyed our sharing on oxytocin and that you've learnt something new from here! It's been an enjoyable time... HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD!!!

oxytocin lovers`

Now that we know how important oxytocin is, have you thought of what will happen if our oxytocin stops working?! The consequences must be dire!

Yes, we will be talking about the consequences of oxytocin malfunction today!

Oxytocin deficiency enhances stress, obesity and psychotic behavior, impairs cognitive functions and increases breast-cancer risk.
Deficiency in oxytocin is characterized by a decrease in milk ejection during lactation. Interestingly, women with known oxytocin deficiency undergo normal labor and delivery despite the lack of hormone.
Oxytocin deficiency may lead to prolonged labor.
Women who have difficulty nursing may have an inadequate amount of circulating oxytocin.
Researchers have found that the malfunction of oxytocin could be linked to the development of autism, which is a developmental disability that results form the disorder of the human central nervous system.
It is experimented and hypothesized that a low level of production of oxytocin could be responsible for several features of autism. An oxytocin-knockout mice was unable to recognize a familiar mice even after many social encounters with that mice.

This is already the last section of information about oxytocin! Amazing isn't it! We actually covered the topic within a week!

Hope that you have benefitted from our sharing and may you love oxytocin as much as we do <3

oxytocin lovers`

Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:30 PM

SPENDING YOUR TUESDAY LEARNING ABOUT OXYTOCIN!

The topic on oxytocin seems to get more and more interesting isn't it. Today we get to see another part of it. The side effects of administering oxytocin.... This can be quite serious!

Possible side effects of administering oxytocin:

Serious side effects include:

Allergic reactions such as difficulty in breathing, closing of the throat, hives, swelling of the lips, face or tongue, rashes or even fainting
Difficulty urinating
Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
Confusion
Sudden weight gain or excessive swelling
Severe headache
Excessive vaginal bleeding
Seizures

Less serious side effects include:

Redness or irritation at area of injection
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting

Improper administration of oxytocin can also result in hyponatremia, a condition whereby there is deficiency of sodium in the blood.

However, most people administering this drug do not have serious complications, so if you want to improve your relationship and build up some trust with your mates, why not consider OXYTOCIN? ;)

* Oxytocin is a powerful harmful drug (a man-made-hormone) used in pregnancy. It is alleged a miracle drug to quicken the child's birth and is alleged that it may prevent bleeding. Oxytocin may cause harsher contractions causing the tearing of the placenta from the womb!! This can cause the mother to have a serious operation to repair. The mother may be then at risk to have no further children, or may never carry them full term, or to be born naturally, thereafter. Oh, how dreadful a thought that is!! So soon-to-be-mothers out there, if you ever think of administering oxytocin to help in your pregnancy, please think twice!!

OXYTOCIN can be useful or harmful, depending on what you use it for. If you are careful in handling oxytocin, it can bring positive effects. Do not be slack in finding out about the substances that you are allowing to enter into your body because it is your own body at stake!

Hence, you see that it all depends on what you use the hormone for. IT IS YOUR BODY that you are taking care of so you have the responsibility of take good care of your body!

EAT HEALTHILY, EXERCISE REGULARLY, HANDLE OXYTOCIN PROPOERLY TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY!!!

oxytocin lovers`

Monday, February 26, 2007 10:38 PM

FIRST DAY OF A NEW WEEK!

Yesterday, we shared about the role of oxytocin in sexual behaviour.

Today, we will be venturing into another interesting part about oxytocin.

The USAGE OF OXYTOCIN!

Synthetic oxytocin is sold as medication under the trade names Pitocin and Syntocinon and also as generic Oxytocin.

<--pitocin Oxytocin is injected into a muscle or intravenously using a nasal spray. After injecting oxytocin, trust seems to rise and social fear seems to abate, raising the possibility that oxytocin-based drugs might eventually help people with mental illnesses that involve fear of others, from crippling shyness to autism and schizophrenia. (note: oxytocin increases trust and reduces fear)

Imagine, in a board game, two players were injected with oxytocin before the start of the game while two others were not. It was observed that these two players showed more trust in the players throughout the game. In this way, they will stand a higher advantage to win the game isn't it... how cool! There should be a type of hormone to let you read the other person's mind as well.. that will be better! =) Oxytocin can aid us in building up our trust in others. This is a good point, but one thought struck me.

Since oxytocin is used to build trust, will it build trust in such a way that it is actually harmful? For example, can oxytocin be used by swindlers to build trust in their targets to aid them in swindling?

Just a thought to ponder over… this question will be posted in our forum again!

Factors that will affect the administration and working of oxytocin in the body:

Before proceeding to read on, if you have any of the factors, remember to inform your doctor about it!

· If the patient drinks caffeine or alcoholic drinks often.
· If the patient has or have had cervical cancer
· If the patient has an allergy to oxytocin or other medications, dyes, food or preservatives
· If the patient has a caesarian section (C-section)
· If the patient has a prolonged uterus

It is likely the patiet's oxytocin is not working normally...!

Now that you have read so much about oxytocin as a hormone in our body, you must be more aware of why your body is acting in this way....

BIOLOGY is all about understanding WHY your body is functioning in a particular way...! Tomorrow, we will be sharing about the side efects of administering oxytocin. continue to visit our blog! HAVE A GREAT DAY AHEAD!!!!!

oxytocin lovers`

Sunday, February 25, 2007 6:20 PM

SUNDAY!
~WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF THE WEEKEND CAN LAST LONGER!!!~

For biology lessons, during which chapter will the students be most attentive and interested? Think about it! Very often, it is when the biology teacher teaches about sexual reproduction chapter... Everyone will seem to be SO interested! Probably a few years later, when you are no longer studying biology, you will remember this chapter the best! (quoted from our biology teacher!)

And so, today, let's go into a very interesting part of oxytocin... I guess most of the readers will be most interested to read this part as well!

The Role Of Oxytocin in sexual behaviour

Being touched (anywhere on the body) causes a rise in oxytocin levels, initiating a series of events that lead to biological and psychological arousal, including a rush of endorphins (the body's natural pain relievers) as well as a spike in testosterone levels (the hormone that kick-starts sex drive).

Click to take a look at an animation on where our sex drive come from.

Hence, it is due to the rise in oxytocin level that causes the effects as mentioned above!!!

Oxytocin also heightens that warm and fuzzy bonding feeling, increasing sexual receptiveness and intimacy. Considered by many to be the key lubricant in the machinery of sex, oxytocin also increases the desire to be touched further, reinforcing the cycle of sex hormone escalation.

OXYTOCIN INCREASES THE DESIRE TO BE TOUCHED FURTHER! wow...!

Binghamton University psychology professor Diane Witt says that since the release of oxytocin can be classically conditioned, after repeatedly having sex with the same partner, just seeing that partner could release more oxytocin, making you want to be with that person all the more.

JUST SEEING THAT PARTNER COULD RELEASE MORE OXYTOCIN, MAKING YOU WANT TO BE WITH THAT PERSON ALL THE MORE!

Oxytocin's effect on the brain is greatly dependent on its interactions with sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and corticosterone. However, its effectiveness as a the 'cuddle hormone' requires the presence of estrogen. This fact may partially explain some of the behavioral differences between the sexes when it comes to intimacy, the desire for cuddling, and even touch's role in the ability to achieve orgasm, since women's bodies produce vastly more estrogen than the male body.

Hence, women has greater desire for cuddling compared to men! And this is because of the presence of estrogen besides oxytocin! Cool!

IN SUMMARY

Oxytocin is produced as a result of touch

Oxytocin causes feelings of intimacy and closeness

Oxytocin triggers powerful orgasms

Women in committed relationships experience enhanced oxytocin production

Suggest that women in committed relationships have better sex!

Are woman more superior than man or vice versa?

Go to the forum and share your views about this! There is no fixed answer for this.. We welcome all opinions!

oxytocin lovers`

Saturday, February 24, 2007 5:20 PM

SATURDAY!!! I love Saturdays! =)

We will be continuing on the psychological effects of OXYTOCIN!

I am beginning to fall in love with oxytocin.. Are you? Oxytocin is such an amazing hormone! Isn't it just fascinating to learn about how our body works? Stay close with us as we will share with you all you wish to know about your body! Visit our forum to share about what you would like to know!!!

So, besides having a role in causing us to develop an affection for another person, there are 2 other effects which we would like to highlight here!

I love babies! Do you?? Babies are just so innocent and pure, they are also the treasures of every family. When you're a baby, everyone is so protective of you. Sometimes, don't you get jealous that the babies are getting all the attention! That is the privilege of being a baby! Anyway, the effects we'll be touching on today has got to do with babies...!

OXYTOCIN RESULTS IN STIMULATION OF MILK EGESTION

You can also call this "milk letdown". Milk is initially secreted into small sacs within the mammary gland called alveoli, from which it must be ejected for consumption or harvesting. Mammary alveoli are surrounded by smooth muscle (myoepithelial) cells which are a prominent target cell for oxytocin. Oxytocin stimulates contraction of myoepithelial cells, causing milk to be ejected into the ducts and cisterns.

Now, you see that milk egestion during breastfeeding has a link to oxytocin too! I never had a clue about that last time.. Oxytocin seems to be playing a part in so many areas. Wow.

OXYTOCIN RESULTS IN STIMULATION OF UTERINE SMOOTH MUSCLE CONTRACTION AT BIRTH

At the end of gestation, the uterus must contract vigorously and for a prolonged period of time in order to deliver the fetus. During the later stages of gestation, there is an increase in abundance of oxytocin receptors on uterine smooth muscle cells, which is associated with increased "irritability" of the uterus (and sometimes the mother as well). Oxytocin is released during labor when the fetus stimulates the cervix and vagina, and it enhances contraction of uterine smooth muscle to facilitate parturition or birth.

Incredible! Oxytocin play such important roles for women during labour and breastfeeding! And if not for oxytocin, you will not even be here today! What an important role oxytocin plays isn't it!!!

Are you falling in love with oxytocin? =)

oxytocin lovers`

Friday, February 23, 2007 2:38 AM

It is finally Friday! Tomorrow is Saturday, which means time to rest and relax! YAY!!!

Has any of you figured out the answer to yesterday's question? Hope you all did ponder over the question. So, why do girls feel better when they talk to each other? Actually the answer is very simple.

It is because when the girls talk, the hypothalamus in the brain produces more oxytocin and the oxytocin makes the girl feel better!

For today, we will be sharing with you about the psychological effects of oxytocin! Hope this will interest you all!

To the girls out there: Do you like the kpop singer Rain? Or what about the Taiwanese singer Wu Zun from Fahrenheit? Or even our Singapore actor, Huang Jun Xiong? Do you feel excited about these people?

Well, this is normal! Even having crushes on handsome guys is normal. We will let you see why this is normal behaviour as we go into the psychological effects of oxytocin hormone today!!! If your friends blame you for always being so called "hua1 chi1" in chinese, after this, you can tell them, "HMM! It is the oxytocin hormone that is causing this!!! Then, you can see how your friend will respond to your statement! =D

OXYTOCIN RESULTS IN SEXUAL AROUSAL

Oxytocin injected into the cerebrospinal fluid causes spontaneous erections in rats.

So hence, isn't it absolutely normal to develop liking to the opposite gender?? Oxytocin is responsible for this feeling!

OXYTOCIN RESULTS IN BONDING WITH A PARTNER OF OPPOSITE GENDER

Oxytocin released into the brain of the female during sexual activity is important for forming a monogamous pair bond with her sexual partner. In people, plasma concentrations of oxytocin have been reported to be higher amongst people who claim to be falling in love. Oxytocin has a role in social behaviors in humans.

Hey, so falling in love is related to oxytocin.. That means if you have more oxytocin hormones, you are more likely to be falling in love?? Wow, cool! So in the future when you're old and desperate to fall in love, get more oxytocin hormones!!! =)

OXYTOCIN RESULTS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MATERNAL BEHAVIOUR

During parturition, there is an increase in concentration of oxytocin in cerebrospinal fluid, and oxytocin acting within the brain plays a major role in establishing maternal behavior.

parturition: the act of giving birth

Evidence for this role of oxytocin come from two types of experiments.

First, infusion of oxytocin into the ventricles of the brain of virgin rats or non-pregnant sheep rapidly induces maternal behavior.

Second, administration into the brain of antibodies that neutralize oxytocin or of oxytocin antagonists will prevent mother rats from accepting their pups.

OXYTOCIN RESULTS IN THE INCREASING TRUST AND REDUCING FEAR

In a risky investment game, experimental subjects given nasally administered oxytocin displayed "the highest level of trust" twice as often as the control group. Subjects who were told that they were interacting with a computer showed no such reaction, leading to the conclusion that oxytocin was not merely affecting risk-aversion.

Nasally-administered oxytocin has also been reported to reduce fear, possibly by inhibiting the amygdala (which is thought to be responsible for fear responses). There is no conclusive evidence for access of oxytocin to the brain through intranasal administration, however.

We will be continuing on the psychological effects on US tomorrow! Do remember to come and check it out! Hope all of you have a great Saturday ahead!!

And....
don't you agree that OXYTOCIN IS SO COOL!!!

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS!!!

oxytocin lovers`

Thursday, February 22, 2007 8:30 PM

Here is something to think about:

Have you ever wondered why girls tend to talk to each other when they are sad? Very often, after they have such "girls' talk" they will feel better... WHY WHY WHY? Question yourself.

ASK AND YOU WILL LEARN MORE!

We will reveal the answer to this question tomorrow (:

This topic is already put up in the forum, feel free to discuss about it with other readers! Just a reminder, our forum website is http://oxytocin.informe.com.

For today, we shall just look into what is oxytocin, the functions of oxytocin and what is oxytocin related to or involved in.

Firstly, what is oxytocin?

Click to view an animation of the posterior pituitary to get a clearer idea of how oxytocin is released.

Oxytocin is synthesized in the soma (cell body), and then transported (using energy) all the way down the axon to the nerve terminals, where it can be released into the spinal cord and bloodstream.

By definition, it is a short polypeptide mammalian hormone. It is naturally released in response to a variety of environmental stimuli including skin-to-skin contact, uterine or cervical stimulation during sex, nipple stimulation in lactating women, and as the result of a baby moving down the birth canal.

By now, all of you should be clear about the fact that oxytocin is a hormone! However, do you know that it is a mammalian hormone? This means that it can only be found in mammals! Hence animals like birds and reptiles will not have oxytocin hormone in them!

Next, what role does oxytocin play in our body?

These are just a few examples. There are many more functions of oxytocin, you can refer to the wikipedia website on functions of oxytocin if you wish to inquire more about this.

In humans, oxytocin stimulates milk ejection during lactation, uterine contraction during birth, and is released during sexual orgasm in both men and women.

TAKE NOTE: Oxytocin is released during sexual orgasm for both men and women!

As mentioned above, oxytocin results in uterine contraction. The contraction is important for cervical dilation before birth and causes contractions during the second and third stages of labor. Oxytocin release during breastfeeding causes mild but often painful uterine contractions during the first few weeks of lactation.

Males synthesize oxytocin in the same regions of the hypothalamus as in females, and also within the testes and perhaps other reproductive tissues. Pulses of oxytocin can be detected during ejaculation. Current evidence suggests that oxytocin is involved in facilitating sperm transport within the male reproductive system

Due to its similarity to vasopressin (in terms of structure), a human hormone that is mainly released when the body is low on water; causing the kidneys to conserve water by concentrating the urine and reducing urine volume, oxytocin can reduce the excretion of urine slightly. More importantly, in several species, oxytocin can stimulate sodium excretion from the kidneys (natriuresis).

Several other functions of oxytocin include actions within the brain.

This leads to sexual arousal, maternal behaviour, bonding, increasing trust and reducing fear, and anti stress functions.

You can read all of this up in the wikipedia website provided above. IT IS REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW ONE HORMONE CAN HAVE SUCH BIG IMPACT ON YOUR OWN BODY!

Lastly and finally, what is oxytocin involved in or related to?

Oxytocin is involved in social recognition and bonding. It might be involved in the formation of trust between people too. Studies have also shown that oxytocin is associated with our ability to mediate emotional experiences in close relationships and maintain healthy psychological boundaries.

It has been enjoyable sharing with you information about oxytocin! As time passes, we hope you will learn even more from our blog. Have fun and have a nice day ahead (:

Remember to visit our forum!

oxytocin lovers`

After reading through the introduction page, I'm sure you have understood more about oxytocin!

Here is an interesting point to look at:

Research showed that women who were currently involved in a committed relationship experienced greater oxytocin swells in response to positive emotions than single women.

Interesting isn't it! Feel free to visit our oxytocin forum to discuss about this!

oxytocin lovers`