Why are Increased Oxytocin Levels Beneficial for those with Neurodivergent Challenges? Can swimming with wild dolphins enhance the release of Oxytocin?
- Mandy Young
- Mar 15
- 2 min read
Well an article in Frontiers of Psychology released on 09 July 2012 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00234, 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 BENEFITS?
Well...the peptide hormone oxytocin (OT) is produced in the hypothalamus and released into the circulatory system and the brain in response to sensory stimulation via a network of Oxytocin-containing nerves (Landgraf and Neumann, 2004; Ross et al., 2009), e.g., during breastfeeding, labour, sex, but also touch, warmth, and stroking, usually in the context of trusting relationships (for reviews see Uvnäs-Moberg, 2003; Insel, 2010).
Because animals are easier to relate to and less complex than humans, thus more trusted. Touching, stroking and engaging with them thus releases increased levels of Oxytocin.
I would advocate that some of the reasons that swimming with dolphins releases greater levels of oxytocin may be because of the intimacy of the experience, and the holding, relaxing properties of water in which they live. In addition dolphin echolocation capabilities can scan the body leaving the swimmer feeling more relaxed - almost massaged and buzzed all other. Thus immune systems are stimulated for greater health. and there is a greater balancing of all body systems.
The release of Oxytocin increases aspects of social interaction like trust, empathy, aggression, and a positive mood. It increases eye contact, empathy, face memory, trust, social skills, positive self-perception, and generosity 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).
Increased levels of Oxytocin in the brain and body also 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).
Increased Oxytocin levels promotes maternal care behaviour (Pedersen et al., 1982) and bonding to the offspring (Kendrick et al., 1986, 1997) as well as pair bonding (Carter et al., 1995).
There is more...but I'll tell you about that in the next Post.
However 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
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And there is more.....
Before the Healing Power of Dolphins Wilderness Encounter, become NAKEDLY WILD in spirt & soul by adventuring in the most authentic wildlife encounter in Africa.
NAKEDLY WILD WILDERNESS ENCOUNTER
19 May 2025, 12:00 SAST – 23 May 2025, 12:00 SAST
Hluhluwe-Umfolosi National Park, Hluhluwe, South Africa
It’s no by accident that the pristine wilderness of our planet disappears as the understanding of our own inner wild nature fades
This adventure is for those who would like to immerse themselves in the most authentic wildlife encounter I have ever experienced.
Have you ever hiked in a wilderness area, slept under the stars and seen no-one for days? Have you ever done so in an area with no tents, no roads and the highest density of predators in the world?
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