Cuddling for pain relief

Sarah Gilbert of Blogging Baby finds that cuddling her teething baby breaks the cycle of "chew, cry, chew cry."

Link: Teething and the power of oxytocin - Blogging Baby.

I'm almost certain he's teething - this is exactly when his brother, Everett, started cutting his teeth. But every time I pick him up - or his Daddy holds him - he's fine.

I think it's that vaunted cuddle hormone.

Comments

[alcibiades]

you cuddle for pain relief and pet dogs at the animal shelter for an up in oxytocin levels. i down absurd amounts of hydrocodone for pain relief (and, ya know, for the buzz too I suppose), and snort oxytocin spray if I want a feeling of warmth and companionship...to each his/her own, I suppose!

[Susan Kuchinskas]

I actually have been thinking a lot about you and your spray -- and about whether or not it's better to concentrate on self-generating the oxytocin response.

Because this response is not innate but is learned in the first several months of life, there are doubtless wide variations among us in terms of how much oxytocin we release, how easy it is for it to let go, and the circumstances in which the body releases extra pulses.

I guess snorting oxytocin is somewhat analagous to taking an aspirin for a headache, as opposed to doing yoga or something.

Do you simply prefer the quick hit, or do you find that cuddling -- or puppies -- just don't do it for you?

For most of my life, I think my oxytocin response was way out of whack and let down at inappropriate or unsafe times.

Meanwhile, I tried to order some, but the order didn't go through for some reason. I definitely am going to give snorting a try.

[alcibiades]

bear in mind, susan, that the effects last but for 3 minutes, and, if you have been keeping up with my website, they are not satisfactory enough in and of themselves to be an "end-all" for my social anxiety difficulties; i am still seeking elsewhere, in other words, although oxytocin is in my pocket at all times, and is part of my arsenal. as it can be conspicuous to sniff the stuff in public, it's best use for me is before a phone call to that special someone or a brief spritz in the bathroom before hitting the dance club or whatever...that said, i'll say it again, alcohol is far more effective for me (but has nasty side effects which 'tocin doesn't seem to). as for your ordering the stuff, you'll need a veterinary prescription adn it's not easy. ordering the human-grade stuff requires a normal prescription (unless u can get it overseas??!) and is very expensive...gl, and i'll keep an eye on your blog!