Oxytocin — the “cuddle hormone” — has been shown to improve memory.
Is oxytocin really the cuddle hormone?
Well, that is a massive over simplification and certainly romanticising our hormones and neuromodulators, but oxytocin can certainly be considered one of our main social and bonding hormones. This helps drive trust, friendship, parent-child bonding, and romantic bonding.
And you are saying that some research now shows it’s involved in memory formation?
Yup, Junpei Takahashi et al. of the Tokyo University of Science have been researching dementia with mouse models and indeed oxytocin seems to have positive benefits.
Is this from improved well being leading to better memory or directly influencing memory?
Well, better wellbeing is always good to have and will improve brain health, and memory over time. Oxytocin is also important for that (which is why having close relationships is important for health). But the researchers also showed better memory directly from oxytocin.
Oh, explain, please!
Well, oxytocin has also been implicated in social memory — which would tie in neatly to its social functions. However in this research, using…
