‘Cuddle chemical’ rush is what turns men into fathers
August 16th, 2010 - 12:09 pm ICT by ANILondon, Aug 16 (ANI): Why do men suddenly turn from macho to cuddly bears around babies? Now, a new research answers why.
A study has shown that levels of oxytocin, the ‘cuddle chemical’ released into the blood during labour, also rise in new fathers.
Not just that, their bodies see a sudden surge in prolactin, a hormone more commonly linked to milk production in new mothers.
“This seems to be evolution’s way of helping men turn into good parents as soon as they have a baby,” The Daily Mail quoted Ruth Feldman as saying.
“These hormones seem to have a powerful role in helping men bond with their newly-born children,” she added.
Feldman, of the Bar-Ilan University in Israel, studied levels of the two hormones in new fathers in the six months after the arrival of their first.
It is thought that in the months after becoming a father, the hormones rewire men’s brains, making them more empathic, playful and cuddly.
It is also possible that as the father’s daily encounters with his infant increase, the prolactin and oxytocin systems reorganise and create new connections.
Taking a different view, Dr Michael Craig, of the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, said, “Oxytocin is also known to rise in response to elevated levels of stress, so this could also be part of the explanation.”
The study is published in the journal Hormones and Behavior. (ANI)
- 'Fatherhood hormones' to help bonding with baby - Aug 16, 2010
- Mother, father show similar love hormone levels after childbirth - Aug 22, 2010
- Without dads, kids grow up to become anti-social - Jul 23, 2009
- Cuddle chemical improves social cognition only in less socially proficient people - Sep 22, 2010
- 'Cuddle' spray to make men more loveable - May 01, 2010
- 'Cuddle chemical' could help schizophrenics - Jul 17, 2010
- Love hormone nasal spray could cure shyness - Sep 24, 2010
- Women's depression can erode their intimate relationships - Mar 31, 2011
- Cuddle chemical oxytocin advances negative emotions - Aug 02, 2011
- Breastfeeding linked to stronger maternal response to infant's cry - Apr 21, 2011
- Depressed partner cannot perceive the other's feelings - Mar 31, 2011
- Scientists offer new insights into breast-feeding hormone - Feb 03, 2010
- Now, contraceptive pill for men! - Jun 27, 2010
- Nasal spray could make you more outgoing - Dec 11, 2011
- Weddings are a way of lining up baby-sitters for the future! - Feb 11, 2010
Tags: bar ilan university, brains, college london, daily mail, dr michael, hormones and behavior, institute of psychiatry, journal hormones and behavior, labour, levels of stress, macho, michael craig, new mothers, oxytocin, prolactin, reorganise, research answers, ruth feldman, s college, sudden surge