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Consuming alcoholic beverages can give you the same feeling as being in love, a study revealed.
Oxytocin, commonly known as the love hormone, can have effects similar to alcohol. This chemical is released during childbirth and helps mothers develop a strong connection with their children. The levels have shown to rise during kissing and while performing romantic activities that can intensify empathy and trust.
As written by iflscience.com, oxytocin suppresses the prefrontal and limbic-cortical circuits which are similar to the effects of alcohol. The connection between the two has already been established in quest for sobriety pill and Dr. Ian Mitchell of the University of Birmingham conducted research to see how far the similarities went. Findings were published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioural Reviews.
“We thought it was an area worth exploring, so we pooled existing research into the effects of both oxytocin and alcohol and were struck by the incredible similarities between the two compounds.
“They appear to target different receptors within the brain, but cause common actions on GABA transmission in the prefrontal cortex and the limbic structures.
“These neural circuits control how we perceive stress or anxiety, especially in social situations such as interviews, or perhaps even plucking up the courage to ask somebody on a date. Taking compounds such as oxytocin and alcohol can make these situations seem less daunting,” Mitchell said.
Drinking liquid can boost one’s confidence on inviting someone over a date although that action will lead to drunkenly not taking no for an answer. Likewise, oxytocin can yield the same results.
According to the results, respondents who take oxytocin nasally in lab test may still walk in a straight line or pronounce words clearly, however they become aggressive, risk-taking, boastful and even more envy. Moreover, the findings of people taking this chemical may become more inclined in discriminating those ‘who are not part of his/her circle’.
“I don’t think we’ll see a time when oxytocin is used socially as an alternative to alcohol. But it is a fascinating neurochemical and, away from matters of the heart, has a possible use in treatment of psychological and psychiatric conditions,” co-author Dr. Steven Gillespie said.
