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- Prof Leng comments on 'cuddle hormone' spray
Prof Leng comments on hormone spray
Professor Gareth Leng comments on worth of 'cuddle hormone' spray for men
A team of German and UK researchers have found that inhaling the "cuddle hormone" oxytocin made men just as empathetic as women. Oxytocin is a naturally produced hormone, most well-known for triggering labour pains and promoting bonding between mother and baby.
The research used some cleverly-designed tests. There has been a lot of interest recently on oxytocin and social behaviour and this study is the latest of several that suggest that intranasal oxytocin seems to 'sensitise' people to become more aware of social cues from other individuals - and more likely to be sympathetic to them.
Professor Gareth Leng
Head, School of Biomedical Sciences
This article was published on Jun 10, 2010