'Cuddle therapy' sounds like what we all need right now. But will it actually help?
Cuddle therapy is having a moment. The idea for this emerging therapy is for you to book in a specified time with a "professional cuddler."
Apr 9, 2026
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Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein: Oxytocin
Medical news and research articles
Organ-on-a-chip technology replicates decades of human aging in just four days
Over one billion people worldwide are over 60, and the population is projected to more than double by 2050. But as more people live into their 60s, 70s, and 80s, health care systems across the globe may face new challenges ...
Mar 30, 2026
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Oxytocin-sensitive brain circuit may keep social bonds active under stress
The neuropeptide oxytocin is a special messenger substance that nerve cells use to communicate with each other. It is acting as both a neurotransmitter and a hormone and is best known for promoting social behavior. However, ...
Feb 23, 2026
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Oxytocin reverses anxiety-like behavior after three months of isolation in mice
Periods of prolonged social isolation have long been associated with difficult emotions and, in some cases, with the emergence of psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and difficulties connecting with others. ...
SNAP-47 protein may play key role in regulating how oxytocin is released within the brain
The brain not only communicates through fast electrical impulses, it also relies on slower, more diffuse chemical signals that modulate our emotional and social states over time. A study led by the Institute for Neurosciences ...
Feb 19, 2026
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Twelve weeks of dance raises oxytocin, shifts resting brain activity in aging
Whether you practice ballet or prefer the tango, the benefits of dancing are self-evident. It's good exercise both physically and mentally due to the complexity of the movements, and it's also a fun social activity. But the ...
Feb 18, 2026
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Why does having a crush make you feel crazy?
The feeling starts in your nervous system. Your pupils dilate, you become short of breath, sweat collects on your palms, and suddenly you can't eat a bite. You're in love—or in lust, at the very least. It's what psychologist ...
Feb 12, 2026
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Can a 'love hormone' drug prevent stress anxiety? What rat tests suggest
Researchers at São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil have demonstrated in rats that a synthetic version of oxytocin can prevent anxiety-related behaviors caused by social stress. The study was published in the journal ...
Feb 10, 2026
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Maternal perinatal depression may increase the risk of autistic-related traits in girls
A research team from the Department of Psychiatry at Tohoku University, led by Dr. Zhiqian Yu and Professor Hiroaki Tomita, has uncovered compelling evidence that maternal perinatal depression—psychological distress occurring ...
Feb 6, 2026
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Hair oxytocin levels may reflect parent–child emotional bond
A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev suggests that oxytocin measured in hair samples may provide insight into the emotional connection between parents and young children. The study examined whether chronic oxytocin ...
Feb 4, 2026
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