The Neuro-Protective Lifestyle

The Neurobiology Of Bonding: All You Need Is Love…. And A Nine Amino Acid Neuropeptide

Posted on 21. Jan, 2009 by Kerry Friesen, M.D. in Neurobiology And Beyond, The End of Psychology

photo credit: DeaPeaJay

 

 

 

 

There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known

There’s nothing you can see that isn’t  shown

There’s no where you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be

It’s easy

All you need is love—love is all you need

—John Lennon

Written by John Lennon, performed by the Beatles and broadcast to the world via satellite on June 25th 1967,  ”All You Need Is Love” encapsulates the whole of the complexity of the neurochemistry of love with one simple saying—”love is all you need”.

From a more scientific standpoint, functional MRI has shown convincingly that dopaminergic reward pathways in the brain are responsible for romantic love.

In fact, just seeing the object of one’s love will make your right ventral tegmental area glow with pure adoration—and— in less than a nanosecond, immeasurable joy then radiates to the dorsal body of the caudate nucleus……you’re hooked, no escape, no return…….but what keeps your there?

OXYTOCIN: TRUST ME I’M A NEUROTRANSMITTER

What “keeps you there” are giant neurons—specifically magnocellular neurosecretory cells within the hypothalamus.  

These giant neurons synthesize the nine amino acid neuropeptide known as oxytocin.  

Any woman that has given birth will recognize oxytocin as the synthetic medication Pitocin.  Usually given during the third stage of labor, Pitocin is responsible for the powerful uterine contractions resulting in a timely and hopefully healthy childbirth.

That’s where reality recedes and science fiction enters the scene.  

This simple nine amino acid neuropeptide also doubles as a potent neurotransmitter. The power of  oxytocin is evident when couples cuddle, strangers are generous and when trust ensues in romantic relationships.

The ultimate paradox inherent in all human relationships is the fundamental fact that trust is dangerous.  

To “body fluid blend” with a genetically unrelated individual is the penultimate expression of human trust.  The profound pleasure of romantic attachment is the result of the energetic blending of neural substrates and the neural networks responsible for perpetuating the passion……..in other words—neural “love at first sight”.

The Magic Of MDMA 

Better known as “Ecstasy”— 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine is capable of generating a similar sense of love and closeness in both humans and rats.  In a recently published study oxytocin was considered the most likely neural correlate.  In other words, the magic of ecstasy is the simple nine amino acid neuropeptide oxytocin.

Pass The Pitocin Please

In a study published in the Journal Of Psychosomatic Medicine  a simple supportive “warm touch” among couples increased salivary oxytocin levels and decreased salivary cortisol levels, indicating improved social bonding and decreased stress.  

In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, intranasal oxytocin was able to diminish conflict and increase positive communication behavior in 47 heterosexual couples.  Salivary cortisol levels decreased significantly as in the previous study.

Give Peace A Chance: The Neurogenetics Of Sociality

Imagine this—the human hypothalamus and the neuropeptide that  it produces may ultimately hold the key to world peace.  

It is now clear that even  complex social behavior is under the influence of oxytocin.

Since trust is and will always be an indispensable component of friendship, family and by extrapolation international relations—a simple nine amino acid may hold the key to both world peace and love at first sight! 

Maybe—just maybe— all we really need is love…. and a nine amino acid neuropeptide.

Tags: Ecstasy, intranasal oxytocin, neurochemistry of love, neurogenetics, neuropeptides, oxytocin