Oxytocin Enhances Pleasure of Social Interactions by Stimulating Production of “Bliss Molecule”

Oxytocin Enhances Pleasure of Social Interactions by Stimulating Production of “Bliss Molecule”
The hormone oxytocin, which has been associated with interpersonal bonding, may enhance the pleasure of social interactions by stimulating production of marijuana-like neurotransmitters in the brain, according to a University of California, Irvine study.

The research provides the first link between oxytocin – dubbed the “love hormone” – and anandamide, which has been called the “bliss molecule” for its role in activating cannabinoid receptors in brain cells to heighten motivation and happiness.

Paper:
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2015/10/21/1509795112.abstract

PR:
http://news.uci.edu/research/love-hormone-helps-produce-bliss-molecules-to-boost-pleasure-of-social-interactions/

Image:
The researchers discovered that social contact increased production of anandamide in a brain structure called the nucleus accumbens, which triggered cannabinoid receptors there to reinforce the pleasure of socialization. When cannabinoid receptors were blocked, this reinforcement disappeared. Image is for illustrative purposes only. Credit: McGill University

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