Is cuddling addicting?

A "steady diet" of oxytocin helps trigger the release of dopamine, which means we're almost literally addicted to the person we're in love with. Cuddling is a drug, so to speak.

theweek.com - Science: Cuddling is key to a committed and loving relationship

What are signs a relationship is over?

There's No Emotional Connection One of the key signs your relationship is ending is that you are no longer vulnerable and open with your partner. A...

Last updated Jun 3, 2020

What to ask a guy to make him think?

– Questions to ask a guy What are your personal goals? What kind of childhood did you have? What makes you insecure? What do you expect from a love...

Last updated Jun 29, 2021

Promotion

Sex, hugs, cuddling, hand-holding, and even innocent little kisses before you dash out the door to work every morning — all of them pay dividends toward a long and loving relationship. And now we have the science to back it up. According to a new study, the culprit is our old friend oxytocin, a.k.a. the "love hormone." Its levels shoot up whenever we make physical contact with someone important to us. It's widely understood that its reward system plays a crucial role in deepening the bond between two lovers. Past studies have suggested that it may help keep men from cheating, while others point to its dark side, which can make an abrupt breakup feel physiologically devastating. Humans and many mammals are monogamous creatures (at least most of the time). What makes us go out of our way to lock ourselves into a committed relationship is still largely a mystery, suggesting there's some sort of biological advantage. "Monogamy is actually quite costly for humans, so there must be some form of benefit," said Rene Hurlemann, a psychiatrist at the University of Bonn in Germany who led the most recent study. "We'd expect humans, especially males, would disseminate their genes."

So what's inspiring warm-blooded males to stay loyal?

Researchers, publishing their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, discovered that regular jolts of oxytocin make our partners more attractive, to us and only us. Hurlemann and his colleagues took 20 men who were in long-term and passionate romantic relationships with women, hooked them up to functional magnetic resonance imaging scanners, and showed them photos of their loved ones interspersed with images of an unfamiliar but equally comely stranger, or a house. Some men were spritzed with oxytocin, others with a placebo. To test whether oxytocin varied only with familiarity, they substituted highly familiar faces for the house images. Afterward, the men filled out the Passionate Love Scale questionnaire, which showed that their inner Romeo prevailed over their inner Lothario. They were fixated on their current romantic partner. [Los Angeles Times] Makes sense. A "steady diet" of oxytocin helps trigger the release of dopamine, which means we're almost literally addicted to the person we're in love with. Cuddling is a drug, so to speak.

Such findings give us a better understanding of how some couples manage to make it for the long haul, and explains why physical support is tied so intrinsically with our emotional health. Take our friends John and Ann Betar, who eloped on Nov. 25, 1932, and, in addition to being completely adorable and amazing, are still madly in love with one another. What's their secret after 81 years of marriage?

"We always hold hands," said John.

What is a Fox eye?

The newest trend on the block within the aesthetics world - a look described as the 'fox eye', 'cat eye' or 'designer eye' - involves a cosmetic...

Last updated Apr 30, 2018

Does running age your face?

“What we call 'runner's face' does indeed often correlate with a runner's body type and lifestyle, but running does not specifically cause one to...

Last updated Jun 29, 2022

Promotion

How do I fix myself being manipulative?

Stop yourself as soon as you notice manipulative behavior. Then, talk to the other person about the situation and how you feel. Be as direct and honest with them as possible. It's okay to take some time on your own to work through your feelings. It's hard to change your behavior, so allow yourself to take baby steps.

wikihow.com - 3 Easy Ways to Stop Being Manipulative - wikiHow

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. This article was co-authored by Allison Broennimann, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Dr. Allison Broennimann is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a private practice based in the San Francisco Bay Area providing psychotherapy and neuropsychology services. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Broennimann specializes in in-depth psychotherapy to provide solution-focused treatments for anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, adjustment problems, traumatic stress, and phase-of-life transitions. And as part of her neuropsychology practice, she integrates depth psychotherapy and cognitive rehabilitation for those recovering after traumatic brain injury. Dr. Broennimann holds a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MS and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University. She is licensed by the California Board of Psychology and is a member of the American Psychological Association. This article has been viewed 160,147 times.

Article Summary

X

Recognizing and stopping your own manipulative behavior can be difficult, but you can start by noticing whenever you try to shame or guilt someone to get your way. Whenever you notice your manipulative behavior take a step back and reflect on what you’re doing so you can stop yourself from doing it. Over time, you can change your manipulative behavior and learn to be okay with being denied what you want. Then you can learn to be direct about what you want instead of trying to manipulate another person. For information about how to work with a counselor to change your behavior, keep reading!

Who you Cannot marry in Islam?

Prohibited to you are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your paternal aunts, your maternal aunts, brother's daughters, sister's...

Last updated Apr 18, 2019

What should you not do in a relationship?

What Not To Do In A Relationship: 7 Things To Keep In Mind Do not mind read. Communication is the backbone of any relationship. ... Do not make...

Last updated Apr 13, 2019

Promotion

How do you know if someone misses you alot?

They're trying to make you smile They're clearly showing you they still think about you. If every single picture you see of them, or every time you...

Last updated Nov 20, 2022

Promotion

What ladies love most in a relationship?

12 Things Every Woman Wants When She's In A Relationship With You An Innate Closeness. Being close can mean different things at different times....

Last updated Aug 17, 2022