Morality & Oxytocin

In previous posts I've talked about Oxytocin as one of our happy chemicals. And how using that, as opposed to dopamine, for dealing with difficult times in life is a healthier approach.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201211/the-neurochemicals-happiness

3. Oxytocin: “The Bonding Molecule” Oxytocin is a hormone directly linked to human bonding and increasing trust and loyalty.  In some studies, high levels of oxytocin have been correlated with romanticattachment. Some studies show if a couple is separated for a long period of time, the lack of physical contact reduces oxytocin and drives the feeling of longing to bond with that person again. But there is some debate as to whether oxytocin has the same effect on men as it does on women. In men, vasopressin (a close cousin to oxytocin) may actually be the “bonding molecule.” But again, the bottom line is that skin-to-skin contact, affection, love making and intimacy are key to feeling happy.

Paul Zak, a neuroeconomist, has done some fascinating studies involving oxytocin. This first video tells a story about a terminally ill boy and his father. Those listening to the story had increased levels of cortisol (stress hormone) and oxytocin (empathy). What was interesting was he found people to be more charitable with the increase in oxytocin.

Oxytocin is tied to trust. If you can produce more oxytocin, you'll be more trusting and trustworthy. And ultimately more happy.

This next video delves more into oxytocin and its relationship to morality. He makes a lot of fascinating points in the video, so just watch it. But one funny study he did was taking oxytocin levels at a wedding. I don't know who would have agreed to that! But he found super high oxytocin in people at the wedding in concentric circles around the bride. HA!

The take away from all of this? His simple solution for producing more oxytocin.... hugs. In fact he says 8 hugs a day. Simple enough. So next time you're having a bad day, instead of hopping on your phone for a dopamine hit, or indulging in some unhealthy habit... find someone to hug. 

Praising Ability vs Effort

http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/29/carol-dweck-mindset/

I have this book sitting at home, but haven't started it yet. I found this study to be particularly interesting and applicable.

Dweck and her colleagues gave each ten fairly challenging problems from a nonverbal IQ test, then praised the student for his or her performance — most had done pretty well. But they offered two types of praise: Some students were told “Wow, you got [X many] right. That’s a really good score. You must be smart at this,” while others, “Wow, you got [X many] right. That’s a really good score. You must have worked really hard.” In other words, some were praised for ability and others for effort. The findings, at this point, are unsurprising yet jarring:

What’s so alarming is that we took ordinary children and made them into liars, simply by telling them they were smart.

Guess I should start doing Yoga.....

This is another great explanation of the 'happy chemicals' our brains and bodies use to make us feel good.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201211/the-neurochemicals-happiness

One thing that stood out is the section on GABA. In the Sons of Helaman and Eternal Warriors classes, we learn how to use GABA to control our limbic system, so we can stick to our goals and values.  It's interesting to see that Yoga can help us produce GABA as well. This goes along well with one of my previous posts on using meditation to 'fire up the left frontal lobe', where happiness resides. So I guess i should take up yoga and meditation to help in staying prefrontal :)

5. GABA: “The Anti-Anxiety Molecule” GABA is an inhibitory molecule that slows down the firing of neurons and creates a sense of calmness. You can increase GABA naturally by practicing yoga,meditation or “The Relaxation Response.”  Benzodiazepines (Such as Valium and Xanax) are sedatives that work as anti-anxiety medication by increasing GABA. These drugs have many side effects and risks of dependency but are still widely prescribed. 

A study from the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" found a 27% increase in GABA levels among yoga practitioners after a 60-minute yoga session when compared against participants who read a book for 60 minutes. The study suggests yoga might increase GABA levels naturally.

'Cause you've had a bad day...'

Just a clarification right up front. I like donuts... this isn't a rip on donuts post. Nor ripping on the company that put up the ad. BUT, sometimes there's sneaky messages (especially from advertising and politicians) that you notice when paying attention... Are donuts really a good place to go for handling a bad day and bad emotions?

In the Eternal Warriors class you learn about the build up of negative feelings and how that leaves you susceptible to temptations to alleviate the pain. When you've had a bad day, do you turn to things that are contrary to your values (I value a healthy diet, but I FEEL like eating a whole package of oreos)? Do you turn to short term fixes, that leave you feeling more empty after (dopamine)? This donut could be replaced with drugs, video games, porn, sugar... or my favorite. Mountain Dew :)

Watch for messages encouraging you to listen with your limbic ears, rather than your prefrontal lobe. 

:)