The Pursuit of Oxytocin

It's official, while men may have bragging rights when it comes to the size of their brains, women actually have 7 times more connective tissue in theirs and use both sides of their brain more than men!

I started reading this new book by John Gray (the author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus) called Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice. It talks about the differences between men and women and how we can better understand each other. So far it is a very interesting (and informative) book.

According to Mr. Gray, men need testosterone to survive and the 'drug' of choice for us women is oxytocin. This is apparently the key to our happiness! So where does one go about obtaining this oxytocin?? Not apparently at the drug store (I know, I tried). Nor can it be obtained in some back alley (tried that too - was not successful - but did meet a lovely gentlemen named Meat). No, apparently it is a hormone and our body has to make the stuff. Great.

So how exactly does one go about producing this happy hormone?  Apparently by doing things that one enjoys such as getting one's hair done, leisurely shopping, getting a massage, spending time chatting with girlfriends, perhaps over a glass (bottle) of wine...hmm I'm starting to like the sound of this. Oxytocin isn't just important for a woman's happiness, it is also important for her health as well. Oxytocin is what helps women deal with stress and keep that sometimes evil hormone cortisol under control.

Men also need to find ways to restore their testosterone levels as testosterone is the key to helping them deal with stress. For men, rebuilding testosterone is as simple as just sitting on the couch for half an hour. Yup, they have it easy! For women, just sitting on the couch can have the opposite effect and make us more stressed out because we think too much about all the things we should be doing instead!

Oh, did I mention that men, unlike women, are able to shut off their brains?  This makes so much more sense to me now! So, when you ask them what they are thinking about and they respond with the patent 'nothing', they really are telling the truth!

I find it so interesting to learn that the differences between men and women really are backed by scientific research now. And who knows, maybe by the time I am finished reading this book, I will actually understand men better...well, maybe.

So wives, girlfriends, tell your significant others that in the interest of your health and wellness you need him to give you a foot massage! Hey, he benefits too, he can relax on the couch while he does it! And if that doesn't convince him, tell him that foot massages stimulate the part of the brain next to the sex centre! (wink wink)

Me, I'm off to produce some oxytocin of my own! I have a wedding to go to and I love weddings!
So nuff ramblin for one day - I'm off to get my dance on!