When you think of oxytocin - aka, the love hormone - you might picture snuggling, kissing, and hugging, and you'd be right!
Oxytocin plays a role in sex, childbirth, bonding, social interaction, and more. It's that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you snuggle a cat.
But what if I told you the love hormone also plays a role in our brain's ability to learn and remember?
A recent breakthrough study by scientists from Tokyo, Japan, shows that oxytocin or the love hormone can effectively reverse some of the damage caused by amyloid plaques in the learning and memory center of the brain caused by Alzheimer's.
The body naturally produced proteins, or amyloids, which surround neurons. Some of these molecules are adhesive and stick together forming plaques. Healthy people can break down plaques daily, but in a person with Alzheimer's, these plaques cluster and settle between brain cells, impairing connections between neurons.
This new research supports other recent studies supporting the love hormone's role in learning, memory, and overall brain health.
How Do We Boost Oxytocin or The Love Hormone?
While the science is still new in determining what activities boost the love hormone the most, these activities seem to help:
- Exercise! Go for a jog in nature. 🌱
- Practice yoga or meditation. 🧘🏽♂️
- Do something nice for somebody. 🌻
- Express love and kindness to others. ❤️
- Pet or snuggle with an animal you love. 🐕
- Eat a piece of chocolate. 🍫
- Get some sunshine - Vitamin D helps activate oxytocin! ☀️
Get Hydrated Before Your Run!
One of the easiest ways to boost the love hormone or oxytocin is with regular exercise. But as we sweat, we lose electrolytes and become dehydrated. Did you know 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated?
Enter OptiMind Water Boosters! Not only do they have 5 electrolytes in each serving, but Lemonade and Mixed Berry flavors also include nootropics for focus, energy, memory, and brain performance. Plus, Green Apple flavor is packed with probiotics, greens, and superfoods!
All the best,
The OptiMind Team