At Andrews University the freshman biology course called Foundations of Biology has the reputation of being fairly challenging. Wait. Do I hear laughter? OK, students refer to it as a bloody killer course. Well, why not? Modern biology expands exponentially, and it is tough for even professionals to keep up with new knowledge much less carefree students just out of high school. There are unit tests every two weeks that turn out to be somewhat stressful events. It isn’t strange for students to dial the number home after a test to get some comfort and love.
We have learned that blood cortisol levels spike during nerve-racking events. It is, of course, one of the “fight or flight” hormones supposed to help get us out of dangerous situations. For some students it probably does help. Another hormone with a known track record is oxytocin. Some call it the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone,” because its levels rise when people hug and touch. Oxytocin forges powerful emotional bonds.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, stressed 7 to 12 year-old girls by asking them to make an impromptu speech or take a math test in front of strangers. Not surprisingly, their cortisol levels rose significantly. After the stressful situation, a third of the girls got hugs and reassurance from their mothers. Their cortisol levels returned to normal quickly, and their oxytocin levels jumped as a result of the touching and talking. A second third of the girls watched a video for more than an hour. Their cortisol levels took much longer to return to normal, and they showed no oxytocin response. The last third of the girls talked with their moms on the phone. Surprisingly, their cortisol/oxytocin changes were not significantly different than the first third, who got the personal touch from their mothers.
Since previous oxytocin studies seemed to point to personal touch as the critical factor, these unexpected results left the scientists wondering. What is it about a phone call that elicits the same hormonal response as the personal touch? Maybe helicopter parenting does play a role after all, since it can both lower the stress levels and enhance bonding. These results’ get me to wondering if thoughtful reading of God’s Word, meditation on His love and compassion for me, and quiet times alone with God will also affect cortisol and oxytocin levels.