Effects of Partner Support on Resting Oxytocin, Cortisol, Norepinephrine, and Blood Pressure Before and After Warm Partner Contact  

Karen M. Grewen, PhD, Susan S. Girdler, PhD, Janet Amico, MD and Kathleen C. Light, PhD.
From the Departments of Psychiatry (K.M.G., S.S.G., K.C.L.) and Psychology (S.S.G., K.C.L.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and the Departments of Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (J.A.).

Objective: We examined whether the magnitude of plasma oxytocin (OT), norepinephrine (NE), cortisol, and blood pressure (BP) responses before and after a brief episode of warm contact (WC) with the spouse/partner may be related to the strength of perceived partner support.

Methods: Subjects were 38 cohabiting couples (38 men, 38 women) aged 20 to 49 years. All underwent 10 minutes of resting baseline alone, 10 minutes of WC together with their partner, and 10 minutes of postcontact rest alone.

Results: Greater partner support (based on self-report) was related to higher plasma oxytocin in men and women across the protocol before and after WC. In women, higher partner support was correlated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) during solitary rest after WC but not before. Also, higher OT in women was linked to lower BP at baseline and to lower NE at all 4 measurements.

Conclusion: Greater partner support is linked to higher OT for both men and women; however, the importance of OT and its potentially cardioprotective effects on sympathetic activity and BP may be greater for women.

Key Words: warm contact • partner support • oxytocin • norepinephrine • cortisol • blood pressure

Abbreviations: ABP = ambulatory blood pressure; BMI = body mass index; BP = blood pressure; CVD = cardiovascular disease; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; HPA = hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal; HR = heart rate; IV = intravenous; MI = myocardial infarction; NE = norepinephrine; OT = oxytocin; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SNS = sympathetic nervous system; SRI = Social Relationships Index; WC = warm contact.

The Chemistry of Connection - adapted from the book "Loneliness"
by John T. Cacioppo & William Patrick    Oxytocin: new findings

In 1906, a young physiologist named Henry Dale, first isolated a small protein or peptide associated with breastfeeding in all mammals.  Arising from the pituitary glad, this substance, called oxytocin, also played a role in pacing the birth process.  Later research would demonstrate that oxytocin is, in a way, a master chemical: of social connection, and as close as anything we know to the love potions popular in romantic folk tales.  Physical manifestations of connection such as hugs and backrubs increase oxytocin levels in the areas being touched

When an infant breastfeeds, the stimulation increases the concentration of oxytocin, which then hasten the release of milk.  Over time this stimulation becomes a conditioned reflex for the mother, and simply seeing her baby is enough to cause her milk to let down.

Ewes that are given an injection of oxytocin will develop a maternal bond with lambs that are not their own.   After an injection of oxytocin, female lab rats begin to exhibit maternal behavior even when they have not been pregnant.  They build a nest, pick up any young they find in the vicinity, carry them to the next, then lick and groom them.  They even lie down as if to "nurse" their adopted young, even though they are not producing milk.

Oxytocin aids social regulation by being the chemical of calm.  Apes who groom each other are not just exhibiting behavior of grooming or courtesy.  The touching in the grooming stimulates the release of oxytocin, which helps promote social harmony.  Backrubs cause the production of oxytocin, accompanied by immense feelings of pleasure, where more oxytocin is produced. 

You may be asking yourself now: what does this have to do with Borderline Personality Disorder?  Here's your answer:  Areas of the brain influenced by oxytocin include the amygdala, the hypothalamus, and areas of the brain stem affecting blood pressure, pulse, alertness, movement and feeling.  Therefore, any encounter causing the release of oxytocin can improve many areas of our outlook.  Oxytocin in synthesized in neurons of the hypothalamus, then released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland.  The amygdala is the area of the brain that is usually smaller in Borderlines, is where emotion regulation begins its short-circuiting.  Oxytocin helps the hindered amygdala, as a neurotransmitter and is delivered directly to the hypothalamus in the brain.

Oxytocin can reduce stress reactivity, increase tolerance for pain and reduce the possibility of being distracted.  Literally, oxytocin creates warmth between human and animal encounters.  Eating serves as a kind of "internal back-rub", creating a warm feeling in the stomach that also releases oxytocin into the brain.   Therefore, a good meal with good friends can be the best of both worlds in relieving stress.  Self-soothing is also one of the Skills taught in DBT Skills groups.  Any sort of oral gratification such as thumb-sucking, smoking, eating can release oxytocin, and complications can be observed when these areas are over-indulged.

The safe way to "manufacture" one's own oxytocin, is to place one's hands (one on top of the other) over their heart.  It is a self-soothing, calmative action that can generate enough oxytocin to calm a potentially excitable mood or reaction.  More discussion on this can be derived by reading this book in its entirety.

Stress causes the production of oxytocin.  It stands to reason that a Borderline would be flooded with this chemical (with all the perceived stressors).  A small amount of stress will produce and increase in oxytocin. 

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