Oxytocin’s Role in Postnatal Depression Still Unclear [PsychCentral.com]

Samantha Sangenito 1/12/164:00 AM

In a new analysis investigating the effects of postnatal depression (PND) on parenting behaviors, researchers have found perplexing results regarding the effects of the hormone oxytocin on mood in new mothers.

Oxytocin, sometimes known as the “cuddle hormone” plays an important role in labor and breast-feeding. It also appears to have significant effects on parenting.

The findings show that new moms with naturally higher levels of oxytocin tend to have fewer symptoms of depression; however, moms who are treated with oxytocin actually see an increase in depressive symptoms. This suggests that much more research is needed to better understand the benefits and risks of oxytocin.

[For more of this story, written by Traci Pedersen, go to http://psychcentral.com/news/2...l-unclear/97425.html]

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