Scientists reveal chemical of love at Trinity College Dublin

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Scientists have presented their discovery of the “hormone of love” at Trinity College Dublin.

The scientists told the crowd at Dublin’s historic university that they have proven that married couples, who are still in love, heal faster than those whose relationship’s are on the fritz.

Oxytocin, nicknamed the hormone of love, promotes faster wound healing. The chemical is released into the brain during positive communication behavior between couples which reduces stress.

Essentially this studies, funded the US National Institutes of Health, has shown that oxytocin may be an important link between the quality of interpersonal relationship and the quality of peoples health.

Lead researcher Jean-Philippe Gouin said "Participants who displayed more positive behaviors, associated with higher oxytocin levels, showed faster wound healing than their less positive counterparts.

"This data suggests that the high oxytocin levels associated with frequent positive communication behavior may be responsible for the impact of positive marital interaction on wound healing."

The study was carried out on 37 married couples. The team created small wounds on their forearms. Each couple was then asked to take part in a task which would mean offering social support to their partner.

The same scientists have also discovered a link between having a sense of purpose in your life and lower levels of inflammation associate with chronic diseases in the elderly.
 

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