The fidelity
hormone
Intriguing new research shows that a special
hormone kicks in to stop men who are in committed relationships from getting
"uncomfortably close" to other women.
Men in committed relationships choose to keep a
greater distance between themselves and an unknown woman they find attractive
when given the hormone oxytocin, according to research in The Journal of
Neuroscience. The findings suggest oxytocin may help promote fidelity
within monogamous relationships. Oxytocin plays a vital role in triggering
childbirth and facilitating nursing. The hormone, which is produced in a region
of the brain called the hypothalamus, is also involved in the formation of
social bonds, bonds between parents and children, and between couples.
In the study, led by René Hurlemann, MD, PhD, of
the University of Bonn, researchers found that heterosexual men in committed
relationships who were given oxytocin via a nasal spray and introduced to a
female that they later described as “attractive” kept a greater distance when
approaching or being approached by her compared with those men given a placebo.
They also reported that they felt “slightly uncomfortable” when she came closer
than 10-50 centimetres away from them. In contrast, oxytocin had no effect on
single men; nor did it have any effect on the distance men kept between
themselves and male experimenter.
Source : Nature and Health
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