Uvnäs-Moberg Kerstin, Handlin Linda, Petersson Maria
Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , Skara, Sweden ; School of Health and Education, University of Skövde , Skövde, Sweden.
School of Health and Education, University of Skövde , Skövde, Sweden.
Front Psychol. 2015 Jan 12;5:1529. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01529. eCollection 2014.
Oxytocin, a hypothalamic nonapeptide, is linked to increased levels of social interaction, well-being and anti-stress effects. The effects of oxytocin that is released by sensory stimulation during different kinds of interactive behaviors are often underestimated or even forgotten. In fact, many of the positive effects caused during interaction, such a wellbeing, stress reduction and even health promotion, are indeed linked to oxytocin released in response to activation of various types of sensory nerves. Oxytocin is released in response to activation of sensory nerves during labor, breastfeeding and sexual activity. In addition oxytocin is released in response to low intensity stimulation of the skin, e.g., in response to touch, stroking, warm temperature, etc. Consequently oxytocin is not only released during interaction between mothers and infants, but also during positive interaction between adults or between humans and animals. Finally oxytocin is also released in response to suckling and food intake. Oxytocin released in the brain in response to sensory stimulation as a consequence of these types of interactive behaviors, contributes to every day wellbeing and ability to handle stress. Food intake or sex may be used or even abused to achieve oxytocin-linked wellbeing and stress relief to compensate for lack of good relationships or when the levels of anxiety are high. The present review article will summarize the role played by oxytocin released by sensory (in particular somatosensory) stimulation, during various kinds of interactive behaviors. Also the fact that the anti-stress effects of oxytocin are particularly strong when oxytocin is released in response to "low intensity" stimulation of the skin will be highlighted.
催产素是一种下丘脑九肽，与社交互动增加、幸福感提升及抗应激效应相关。在不同类型的互动行为中，由感官刺激释放的催产素的作用常常被低估甚至被遗忘。事实上，互动过程中产生的许多积极影响，如幸福感增强、压力减轻甚至健康促进，确实与因各种类型的感觉神经激活而释放的催产素有关。在分娩、哺乳和性行为期间，催产素会因感觉神经的激活而释放。此外，催产素会因皮肤受到低强度刺激而释放，例如对触摸、抚摸、温暖温度等的反应。因此，催产素不仅在母婴互动期间释放，也在成年人之间或人与动物之间的积极互动期间释放。最后，催产素也会因吮吸和进食而释放。由于这些类型的互动行为，大脑中因感官刺激而释放的催产素有助于日常幸福感和应对压力的能力。食物摄入或性行为可能被利用甚至滥用，以实现与催产素相关的幸福感和压力缓解，来弥补良好人际关系的缺失或在焦虑水平较高时的情况。本综述文章将总结在各种互动行为中，由感官（特别是躯体感觉）刺激释放的催产素所起的作用。同时，还将强调当催产素因皮肤的“低强度”刺激而释放时，其抗应激作用尤为强大这一事实。
