oxytocin
/ˌɒksɪˈtoʊsɪn/
Definition
A hormone and neurotransmitter produced in the brain that plays a critical role in social bonding, emotional regulation, and the processing of social information.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek 'oxys' (sharp or swift) and 'tokos' (childbirth), reflecting its historical identification as a substance that accelerates labor. It entered scientific terminology in the early 20th century to describe the peptide hormone now known for its diverse social and emotional functions.
In the news
In this article, researchers investigated whether an oxytocin nasal spray could help individuals with borderline personality disorder maintain compassionate mental imagery during meditation. It acts as an experimental tool to assist these patients in overcoming mental blocks like self-criticism.
Oxytocin nasal spray may help people with borderline personality disorder engage in self-compassion meditation
Read the full article ↗PsyPost