Very clever and illuminating Dr. Z! Very interesting research, and the applications in the long run could be amazing!

Thanks Esteban--lots to be learned, many possible clinical applications, and I think an understanding of why humans are so empathic towards each other and even other species. More soon on how to build an empathic organization.

Paul J. Zak and Ken Grimes are currently writing a book called The Moral Molecule

Interesting anecdote. I remember reading that petting a cat has been shown to reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure - although you recommended dog petting instead of cat petting, I assume that petting a cat releases just as much oxytocin as petting a dog, and wonder if the older finding about blood pressure and stress is in fact just a consequence of the oxytocin release.

I found this anecdote quite interesting because I am someone who is shy and someone whom has been allergic to cats, dogs (pets) almost all of my life.

I am now in my mid-40s and remember early in my life (clearly) loving dogs and cats (4-5 years old). I actually remember the connection and me wanting to stay with them and pet them, hold them or keep them with me. Unfortunately, my Mom and Dad both saw my horrific allergic reaction within 15 minutes of being around these animals (breathing problems, eyes inflamed to the point I couldn't look out of my eyes) and made the decision that a pet was not in my future. The point is that the allergic reaction, as I grew older and episodes came and went, I ended up reacting and not touching these animals and even walking out of the room when they were there.

I wonder if that lack of an oxytocin related variable in my life was critical for me to develop strong relationships. On one hand I have been married about 10 years--that signifies strength in a relationship I guess, but I have few or no friends. It was always difficult for me to develop those female relationships. ...still very shy at work, etc.

I don't know....maybe I'm diggiing to deep here to figure out why I'm as shy as I am.

That is an amazing and wonderful insight: Massage may be as healthy and satisfying for the person providing the massage as for the recipient. Massage professionals probably know this intuitively, but it's fascinating that this could be a way for people with social anxiety or autism to begin to enjoy human touch.

This is incredible news.... Oxytocin- wont forget that word.Having suffered long term p.t.s.d from been emotionally neglected in childhood/adolescence,ive resigned myself to a basically isolated life. Fully & painfully aware that my subsequent social anxiety cripples me from making hardly any,let alone trusting,attachments with people.

It devastates me to think that im resigned to becoming a crazy loner cat lady!-no cats yet!

I thought shyness was a behavioural problem not chemical-i hate anxiety/antidep medication-havent found any that work.Its a relief to know Oxycotin might help/be on the market soonish.Having bn to University, but now on the pension due to shyness/anxiety escalating,i wonder if theres any testing going on in Australia?im up for testing!karen-aussie melbourne

Dr. Paul Zak.
I have heard and seen you via the miracle of the Internet and am curious about something I heard today on a podcast, an interview with Dr. Gabor Mate. Now he was talking about Addiction and the causes of that nature amongst the users of what are now illegal drugs, however he mentioned a legal drug he referred to as a neuro toxin that killed a number of participants/patients overseas somewhere. There must be an issue in administering such a nose spray or whatever in your research and development.

Has the toxic nature of oxytocin been resolved? Is the solution available? have you mentioned it?

Your research is important and hope to hear and see you again, perhaps at another science network event?

Dr. Z,
Your blog/writ is great! Let us realize that some of us in the HS community beleive in this theorem, and as a result, use pet therapy , in dealing with SAD,with ADHD, and Autism. A concept that some clinicians sometimes overlook, is that "best than" rather than use of psychotropic meds, that very simply, if an individual is capable of caring for a pet, that might be "just what the dr. ordered!" Regarding (SM) dog or pet allergies, a bird or rodent pet could have been an alternative,possibly.
In an effort to promote wellness, touch is a step, yet self security to make the effort must be present,wouldn't you concur?.
We are in full agreement on knowing that the release of oxy in the brain promotes the link, and perhaps, there is a lot more to " Reach out and Touch" than we have realized to this point in evolution?
Imagine that ?