20 August 2012
Sentimental Spray
Hormones can trigger profound changes both to behaviour and physiology. And now researchers show that they can affect our sensitivity to the emotions of our conspecifics. Oxytocin has long been known for its role in birth and breastfeeding. More recent investigations have hailed it as the ‘love’ hormone, helping to strengthen the bond between couples. Researchers have now added to its armoury by demonstrating the effects of the hormone on our ability to read emotions in peoples’ faces. Healthy students were given a nasal spray containing a dose of either saltwater or oxytocin. The hormone-sniffing subjects fared significantly better in deciphering emotions through facial expression. Those who found it most difficult to interpret emotions showed marked improvement after using the oxytocin spray. Researchers hope that the spray, which is already available on prescription, could help with disorders such as autism.
Written by
- Images in public domain | Author: Greyson Orlando
- Research published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
Search The Archive
Submit An Image
Like us on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Follow on Tumblr
Follow on Instagram
What is BPoD?
BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.
BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.