"In fact, some sex counsellors warn new lovers not to jump into bed with one another, as orgasms increase levels of oxytocin and can thus impair judgment about a mate's character. "

This is why I'm an inconsiderate lover. I wouldn't want to impair my partner's judgment.

Heard this on NPR coming in this morning. They had one of the guys who did the study calling in, and he seemed to imply that the "point of saturation" beyond which extra oxytocin has no effect is pretty low -- if your brain has a fair amount already, introducing it artificially has little influence. Still, I'm waiting until they start pumping the shit into the air ducts at the used car dealership...

Interesting...

Very interesting.

I wonder if dogs naturally produce the stuff, because no matter how many times they run away when I let them off the leash, I just can't seem to resist their hypnotic reassurances that THIS TIME it will be different.

Are you having sex with the dogs?

Oxytocin levels have long been known to spike with sexual climax...

Wow, you're not supposed to experience waves of a mixture of paranoia, loathing, and guilt?

Learn something new every day.

you'll like them and trust them, for no better reason than they sweat agreeable molecules.

I've liked and trusted people on less.

Kind of old news. . . but it's been getting press lately, so this is okay.

Then there's this story about dapoxetine, which works with oxytocin levels to fight premature ejaculation. . . and, uh, apparently give users real kick-ass 'gasms.

I'm sure you're with me on this when I say: sweet.

Can you imagine mixing this stuff with Cialis? Four-hour explosion zones, baby! Men would finally stop doing work altogether.

As for the quote "orgasms increase levels of oxytocin and can thus impair judgment about a mate's character," let me just say you don't even need a mate. You get hopped up on this stuff, you're liable to self-pleasure yourself to anything-- Montgomery Ward's lingerie catalogs, the Ellen DeGeneres Show, even Animaniacs.

Not that I ever did any of that, of course.

Anyway, another use for the "trust hormone" that the story didn't mention, and quite relevant for today: interrogations.

I can't wait for the bleating from Amnesty International when we start spritzing Gitmo prisoners with trust spray.

But hey, more efficient than thumbscrews and Koran-flushings, so whatever works.

Cheers,
Dave at Garfield Ridge

How much do you want to bet someone is seriously arguing that this explains how Chimpy McHitlerburton stole the 2004 election?

Dave at Garfield Ridge,

Here's an alternative to dapoxetine.

Obviously, Karl Rove is up to his old tricks again....

Animaniacs? I thought that was just me ...

"There are dozens of us! DOZ-ENS!!!"

In the immortal words of Nelson Muntz, SMELL YOU LATER.

Right now, dozens of companies are racing to be the first to flood the market with oxytocin-laced cologne, roll-on deodorant... The possibilities are endless. In six months everybody will be walking around in a permanent oxytocin fog, but if everyone's using the stuff we'll be back to a level playing field.

In the meantime, thanks to this post I can get a jump on the crowd and enjoy four or five months of moderately successful dating. Impairing the judgment of my prospective partners is pretty much my only hope.

Utron-- are you kidding me? I'm shocked I have yet to get spam that advertises "VIAGGGRA CIALICE OXYTOOCIN."

Should hit tomorrow, methinks.

Oh, and Hubris? We want medicine that prevents ejaculation for a little while, not for ever.

Seriously, you may have a safe, non-invasive alternative to vasectomy there.

Cheers,
Dave at Garfield Ridge

Utron, how would you discreetly get this stuff up your date's nose?

Lauraw, I'm assuming it will gently waft into her trusting nostrils as one component of my aftershave or whatever. If she has to actually snort the stuff then I'm back to dating coke whores, which sort of defeats the purpose of the maneuver.

Utron, how would you discreetly get this stuff up your date's nose?

Well, you could spray it on your nards, but I guess if she's in a position to get a whiff of that you've already kinda sealed the deal.

Then again, maybe you could get her to do dirty stuff or something.

Hubris, that photo on your site (not Rosie, dammit) had me rolling on the ground!

Great pose.

I read the article and the posts, but I might have missed it. However, there isn't one single mention of what oxytocin is usually used for--to induce labor. It's also called Pitocin.

Conspiracy alert: For all those women who had to have labor induced with oxytocin, I wonder how much got into the baby before it was born. Is the medical establishment creating little, trusting sheep?

;-D

Thanks Dogstar - one of my twin sons was kind enough to provide an author photo. He'll probably sue me later on in life.

Never mind. I'm blind.

"For humans, the hormone has been produced synthetically since the 1950s, used by obstetricians to help induce labour."

Inducing labor was mentioned in the article, Cardeblu. Apparently the stuff is also used to boost milk production in dairy cattle. I'm definitely starting to wonder about the physical side-effects of this miracle drug.

So, you don't even have to drink the Kool-Aid any more.
Just SMELL it.

Liquor is still quicker. Prob'ly cheaper, too.

Jesus Mary and Joseph, I can't believe you retards didn't see the crop-dusting mention.

hehehe crop-dusting....