CAN SWIMMING WITH WILD DOLPHINS INCREASE A RELEASE OF OXYTOCIN?

An article in Frontiers of Psychology released on 09 July 2012 , seems to suggest that Human-Animal-Interactions, including Swimming with Dolphins, releases greater levels of Oxytocin which has psychological and psychophysiological impacts on humans?

WHAT ARE THE BENFITS FOR NEURODIVERGENCE IF MORE OXYTONCIN IS RELASED IN BODY & BRAIN?

The peptide hormone oxytocin (OT) is produced in the hypothalamus section of the brain and released to circulate the body via a network of Oxytocin-containing nerves (Landgraf and Neumann, 2004; Ross et al., 2009). This release is normally heightened for most humans during breastfeeding, labour, sex, but also when touching and warmth, and stroking others. For those experiencing neurodivergent challenges close physical contact can be threatening with other humans, but more comfortable with predictable, unconditionally loving species like dogs and dolphins, and other trusting relationships (for reviews see Uvnäs-Moberg, 2003; Insel, 2010).

As animals are usually easier to relate to and less complex than humans, they are simpler to trust. Touching, stroking and engaging with them releases increased levels of Oxytocin.

When swimming with dolphins greater levels of oxytocin may be released because of the intimacy of their voluntary closeness and a sense of being chosen and loved. The only way to interact with these beautiful creatures to be in their watery domain which also has holding, relaxing properties. In addition dolphin echolocation capabilities can scan the swimmer’s body leaving him / her massaged and buzzed with electromagnetic energy all other. In this way the body functioning is balanced and the immune system triggered for greater health. .

SOCIAL INTERACTION

The release of Oxytocin increases feelings of trust, empathy, and a positive mood. It increases eye contact, empathy, face memory, which are ocial skills that are difficult for those on the autism spectrum. Increased OT enhances positive self-perception and generosity towards self and others, and decreases depression (Heinrichs et al., 2003; Kosfeld et al., 2005; Ohlssson et al., 2005;Zak et al., 2005, 2007; Domes et al., 2007; Guastella et al., 2008; Jonas et al., 2008; Savaskan et al., 2008; Rimmele et al., 2009; Cardoso et al., 2011).

BRAIN & BODY CHANGES, AND INCREASED LEARNING CAPABIILITIES:

Increased levels of Oxytocin in the brain and body counteracts aggression (Petersson et al., 1998), and improves learning and concentration (Björkstrand et al., 1996;Petersson et al., 1996, 1999; Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2000).

MATERNAL CARE & BONDING:

Increased Oxytocin levels promote maternal care (Pedersen et al., 1982) and bonding with one’s children (Kendrick et al., 1986, 1997). It also encourages pair bonding between siblings and partners (Carter et al., 1995).

There is more…but I’ll tell you about that in the next Post.

HOW CAN YOU SWIM WITH WILD DOPHINS?

If you want to experience the beyond-words experience of swimming with wild dolphins, for many, many reasons, as well as the possibility of experiencing an increased release of Oxytocin in a sustained transformational way please join me on

the up and coming 6 day / 5 night

HEALING POWER OF DOLPHINS WILDERNESS ENCOUNTER