Hugs Are Healthier for Women

The BBC News Online reports that oxytocin-producing hugs benefit women's hearts more than men's. These are their actual blood-pumping hearts, not the metaphorical, emotional ones.

The study showed hugs increased levels of oxytocin, a "bonding" hormone, and reduced blood pressure - which cuts the risk of heart disease.

But, writing in Psychosomatic Medicine, the researchers said women recorded greater reductions in blood pressure than men after their hugs.

The University of North Carolina study, led by Karen Grewer, found  elevated levels of oxytocin in both men and women. In women, they also found lower blood pressure and reduced levels of cortisol, a hormone produced in response to stress.

Men's higher levels of testosterone and vasopressin tend to reduce the effects of oxytocin, so it makes sense.

Comments

[Khaavren]

does oxytocin do anything good for men at all?

[Susan Kuchinskas]

Absolutely. Men and women have the same neurochemistry, but some of the chemicals are balanced differently. Oxytocin has the same effect in men and in women; however, it's influencecd by the sex hormones estrogen in women and testosterone in men; men also tend to have a bit more vasopressin in their bodies.

Vasopressin is part of the fight-or-flight syndrome; it tends to reduce the calming and bonding effects of oxytocin. This is likely why women are more interested in cuddling after sex. In men, vasopressin and testosterone damp down those effects, making them feel like getting up and doing stuff after sex.