Oxytocin: a key hormone in attachment and emotional regulation
Oxytocin is an essential hormone involved in attachment, reproduction and social interaction.
- It promotes trust,
- Reduces stress
- And modulates pain.
Its role in motherhood and fidelity is well documented, but its influence varies between men and women.
GABA: a natural brake on neuronal excitation
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system.
- It promotes relaxation,
- Reduces anxiety
- And maintains the balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain.
GABA-A receptors: Immediate anxiolytic effect by promoting chloride (Cl-) entry into the neuron. GABA-B receptors: slower modulation, with a muscle relaxant and antispastic effect via action on calcium (Ca²⁺) and potassium (K⁺).
Oxytocin and stress regulation
By influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, oxytocin plays a key role in stress and emotion management. Certain practices, such as meditation, the placebo effect or certain fragrances, are thought to stimulate its release, thus promoting well-being.
The interaction between oxytocin and GABA
While GABA acts as a brake on stress, its effectiveness also depends on a balance with other neurotransmitters, including oxytocin. In the case of oxytocin deficiency, the stress response may be less well regulated, despite the action of GABA.
Oxytocin and GABA interact in key brain regions, such as the amygdala and hypothalamus, modulating anxiety and stress responses.
An essential balance for well-being
The action of GABA alone is not always sufficient to regulate stress if oxytocin release is impaired. This interaction underlines the importance of an optimal neurochemical balance for lasting well-being. A better understanding of these mechanisms opens the way to new therapeutic approaches for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders.
Abréviations : OXT, ocytocine ; PVN, noyau paraventriculaire ; Axe HPA, axe hypothalamo-hypophyso-surrénalien ; LC-NE, locus coeruleus-noradrénaline ; HNS, système hypothalamo-neurohypophysaire ; SNS, système nerveux sympathique ; PSNS, système nerveux parasympathique. + indique une régulation positive et − indique une régulation négative.
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Sources:
A novel role of oxytocin: Oxytocin-induced well-being in humans.
Ito E, Shima R, Yoshioka T.Biophys Physicobiol. 2019 Aug 24;16:132-139. doi: 10.2142/biophysico.16.0_132. eCollection 2019.