May 22, 2015
Economics Prof. Paul Zak in Yahoo! Health story about study comparing oxytocin to alcohol
Cuddle up to your S.O. in bed, nurse your baby, hold hands with your partner, and your body will start to release a chemical called oxytocin. You probably know it as “the love hormone” — it plays a role in everything from sex and bonding to emotions and trust. And ever since research suggested that oxytocin can make us more trusting toward other people, it’s basked in the limelight as a good-for-you brain chemical. But is there more to this “happy” hormone than its nickname suggests? According to a new study from University of Birmingham researchers, the way oxytocin influences us is comparable to the effects of alcohol.