Love Triggers Your Brain’s Weed Receptor

Bonding with other humans really does give a natural high.

What happens when “love hormones” and “bliss molecules” collide? A whole lot of happy akin to smoking a joint, a new study suggests. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) found that oxytocin—often dubbed the “love hormone” due to the good feelings it produces during social interactions—is able to enhance pleasure by stimulating the brain’s marijuana-like cannabinoid neurotransmitters.

“Why do social animals—us included—enjoy the company of their own species? Our study addresses this question from a neurobiological perspective,” explains Daniele Piomelli, the paper’s lead author.

It is the first piece of research to establish the link between oyxtocin and anandamide, the “bliss molecule.” UCI’s researchers conducted their study on mice, analyzing those that had been allowed to interact with others, and others that had been isolated.

“We describe a neural mechanism [in the paper] that reinforces social contact: this...

Rate this article: 

This marijuana news is brought to you by 420 Intel. For the latest breaking cannabis industry news, subscribe to the 420 Intel newsletter. If you'd like to promote your product or service in this area after every article, contact us.