About this Research Topic
Oxytocin exerts multiple beneficial psychological and physiological effects in the periphery and the brain. Oxytocin has e.g., been shown to stimulate social interaction, cognitive processes, social memory and perception. It may also induce positive mood and decrease levels of anxiety, stress, pain, and inflammation and influence metabolic processes and stimulate healing, restoration and growth. Oxytocin acts directly on cellular and intracellular mechanisms and indirectly by influencing the release of other hormones and neurotransmitters and the function of the autonomic nervous system. All these actions of oxytocin may positively influence physical and mental health.
Sensory stimulation of different kinds, e.g., visual, auditory, olfactory as well as tactile stimuli and warmth have been shown to be associated with a similar effect pattern to that of oxytocin and sometimes to be associated with oxytocin release. It is proposed that there is a functional link between these types of sensory stimulation and oxytocin release and it is even proposed, that stimulation of peripheral sensory nerves including sensory nerves from the skin is one of the most important activators of oxytocin release and oxytocin linked effects.
In this call we also include a possible role of “mental“ stimulation of oxytocin release, e.g. in response to “mental images” representing emotions or situations that are associated with oxytocin release. Such “mental images” may occur spontaneously e.g. in dreams, by imagination, as conditioned reflexes or may be promoted in different therapeutical settings, such as during hypnosis, positive mental training, relaxation therapies or certain types of psychotherapy. Activation of certain aspects of the oxytocin system, in particular those related to decreased levels of stress and pain, may be the common denominator behind several types of therapies aimed at lowering of stress levels, e.g. yoga, mindfulness, relaxation therapies and psychotherapy.
The association between sensory stimulation and oxytocin release has been largely overlooked and therefore deserves to be further explored. This Research Topic covers effects caused by oxytocin and or by sensory stimulation. Oxytocin could be administered to humans or animals, or its release could be stimulated by other substances e.g., via serotonergic or noradrenergic mechanisms. Sensory stimulation could be induced experimentally both in humans and animals. In addition, sensory stimulation could be part of an interaction between humans or between humans and animals, be caused by therapeutic interventions, such as massage of muscles and tactile stimulation of the skin and even from other types of therapeutic procedures involving physical contact, such as acupuncture, yoga, transcutaneous muscle stimulation and even chiropractic and osteopathic treatments.
Experimental studies exploring the afferent neurogenic pathways involved in sensory stimulation of oxytocin release and consequent oxytocin linked effects are of particular interest. This includes studies regarding the role of C- tactile afferents and other types of cutaneous afferents including the role of temperature for activation of oxytocin from the skin. The role of afferent vagal nerves in mediating a cholecystokinin dependent activation of oxytocin release, satiety, and wellbeing as well as other effects of oxytocin in regulating food intake and metabolism needs further investigation.
This Research Topic also covers oxytocin release and effects in response to more specific types of sensory stimulation, such as birth, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact between parents and infants after birth, food intake and sexual interaction.
Studies linking oxytocin to mental and physical disorders, such as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary dysfunction are of interest. Studies that demonstrate that enhanced oxytocin levels/function in response to pharmacological, psychological interventions or by activation of nerves, cutaneous afferents, exert positive effects on diseases, such as depression, anxiety disorders as well as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary dysfunction, are welcome.
A strong experience of anxiety and stress levels often precedes the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other long-term expressions of trauma. We welcome studies regarding a possible role of oxytocin as a healing agent against PTSD or other stress-related disorders and also as a protective agent against the development of such disorders. Such studies may include traumatic experiences of birth.
Manuscripts with an evolutionary perspective on oxytocin, its effects, and its release by different types of sensory stimulation are equally welcome.
We also welcome studies on the neurogenic, neuroendocrine, cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in the actions of oxytocin and /or sensory stimulation.
This Research Topic is multidisciplinary and experts from different fields of expertise, e.g., from medicine (human and veterinary), physiology, neurophysiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, chemistry, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, psychology, sociology, pedagogics, biology, and agricultural sciences etc., are welcome to submit papers.
We welcome the following submission formats: Original research, reviews, hypotheses, and theories as well as perspectives.
Sensory stimulation of different kinds, e.g., visual, auditory, olfactory as well as tactile stimuli and warmth have been shown to be associated with a similar effect pattern to that of oxytocin and sometimes to be associated with oxytocin release. It is proposed that there is a functional link between these types of sensory stimulation and oxytocin release and it is even proposed, that stimulation of peripheral sensory nerves including sensory nerves from the skin is one of the most important activators of oxytocin release and oxytocin linked effects.
In this call we also include a possible role of “mental“ stimulation of oxytocin release, e.g. in response to “mental images” representing emotions or situations that are associated with oxytocin release. Such “mental images” may occur spontaneously e.g. in dreams, by imagination, as conditioned reflexes or may be promoted in different therapeutical settings, such as during hypnosis, positive mental training, relaxation therapies or certain types of psychotherapy. Activation of certain aspects of the oxytocin system, in particular those related to decreased levels of stress and pain, may be the common denominator behind several types of therapies aimed at lowering of stress levels, e.g. yoga, mindfulness, relaxation therapies and psychotherapy.
The association between sensory stimulation and oxytocin release has been largely overlooked and therefore deserves to be further explored. This Research Topic covers effects caused by oxytocin and or by sensory stimulation. Oxytocin could be administered to humans or animals, or its release could be stimulated by other substances e.g., via serotonergic or noradrenergic mechanisms. Sensory stimulation could be induced experimentally both in humans and animals. In addition, sensory stimulation could be part of an interaction between humans or between humans and animals, be caused by therapeutic interventions, such as massage of muscles and tactile stimulation of the skin and even from other types of therapeutic procedures involving physical contact, such as acupuncture, yoga, transcutaneous muscle stimulation and even chiropractic and osteopathic treatments.
Experimental studies exploring the afferent neurogenic pathways involved in sensory stimulation of oxytocin release and consequent oxytocin linked effects are of particular interest. This includes studies regarding the role of C- tactile afferents and other types of cutaneous afferents including the role of temperature for activation of oxytocin from the skin. The role of afferent vagal nerves in mediating a cholecystokinin dependent activation of oxytocin release, satiety, and wellbeing as well as other effects of oxytocin in regulating food intake and metabolism needs further investigation.
This Research Topic also covers oxytocin release and effects in response to more specific types of sensory stimulation, such as birth, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact between parents and infants after birth, food intake and sexual interaction.
Studies linking oxytocin to mental and physical disorders, such as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary dysfunction are of interest. Studies that demonstrate that enhanced oxytocin levels/function in response to pharmacological, psychological interventions or by activation of nerves, cutaneous afferents, exert positive effects on diseases, such as depression, anxiety disorders as well as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary dysfunction, are welcome.
A strong experience of anxiety and stress levels often precedes the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other long-term expressions of trauma. We welcome studies regarding a possible role of oxytocin as a healing agent against PTSD or other stress-related disorders and also as a protective agent against the development of such disorders. Such studies may include traumatic experiences of birth.
Manuscripts with an evolutionary perspective on oxytocin, its effects, and its release by different types of sensory stimulation are equally welcome.
We also welcome studies on the neurogenic, neuroendocrine, cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in the actions of oxytocin and /or sensory stimulation.
This Research Topic is multidisciplinary and experts from different fields of expertise, e.g., from medicine (human and veterinary), physiology, neurophysiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, chemistry, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, psychology, sociology, pedagogics, biology, and agricultural sciences etc., are welcome to submit papers.
We welcome the following submission formats: Original research, reviews, hypotheses, and theories as well as perspectives.
Keywords: Oxytocin, sensory stimulation, social interaction, stress, pain and inflammation, growth, restoration and healing, wellbeing, health promotion
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
