Oxytocin has been called the love hormone, but recent research has shown that the brain chemical may play a role in regulating our moral behaviors, earning itself another nickname, the moral molecule.

In this episode, psychologist Paul Zach talks about his research into oxytocin's impact

on how we interact with one another face-to-face and even virtually.

I'm Andre Hamilton, and this is Speaking of Psychology. Paul Zach is the founding director of the Center for Neuro Economics Studies and and Professor of Economics, Psychology, and Management at Claremont Graduate University.

He studies the brain chemical oxytocin and its impact on behaviors and personality.

His book, The Moral Molecule, The Source of Love and Prosperity, was published in 2012.

Welcome, Dr. Zach.

Thank you. Happy to be here.

We want to know. What is oxytocin? Why do you call it the moral molecule?

So oxytocin is a chemical the brain makes. It functions both as a hormone, which means it affects parts of the body outside the brain.

And in the brain, it actually affects brain activity.

And it was known only to be released in humans during birth and breastfeeding and during sex.

But it turns out, in studies we started doing about a dozen years ago, that there are many other stimuli that caused the brain to release oxytocin. And when oxytocin is released, we connect

to other people. we care about other people

in tangible ways. So we've done experiments where we tempt people with virtue advice by putting

money on the table. And when people release oxytocin or when we give them synthetic oxytocin,

they're much more likely to engage in positive social behaviors, what we would call moral

behaviors because of oxytocin.

We've taken blood before and after, different social stimuli, positive social stimuli, like dancing,

like singing, like sharing, people praying, meditating, all these things done in a group,

release oxytocin, and subsequently follow the money.

So see what people do with the money once they've released oxytocin,

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