How Oxytocin created the Facebook !

Evolution has so designed that the spontaneous delivery in humans also needs assistance of a third person ( not necessarily a doctor) to cut the natal cord, clean the face and nose of the baby, turn and put it on mother’s breast for its first feed. The mother in a lithotomy posture is totally helpless to do this.

Have you ever seen any animal engaging a dai or a trained birth attendant during its child birth ?
Birds or even elephants do not need a midwife to assist during delivery.

In a monkey, usually the face of the newborn automatically comes close to the breast of mother after delivery. This is called the Occiput Posterior position. ( If this same position occurs during the birth of a  human baby, a lot of complications are expected.) On the other hand, the limbs of the newborn monkey are mature enough at birth so that the monkey baby can climb to the breast of its mother for its first feed immediately after birth. Monkeys don’t need a midwife. 

 But Humans need.

This medical necessity ensures that humans need a stronger social bonding for survival and propagation of their species . They need help from other women during the child birth and rearing throughout their existence.  Nature has forged a very tiny molecule out of nine amino acids to facilitate this. Just nine small amino acids called Oxytocin. 

Oxytocin is the molecule that makes man a social animal.

We know that Oxytocin surges in mother’s breast when she hears the cry of her baby. This lets down the milk from her breast for the baby. This is called the “Milk Let down reflex” and is crucial for the survival of infants.

What does this Oxytocin do in males ? 

Now we know that this same oxytocin is released during Positive Social interactions, Expressions of affection. 

A male Gorilla kills any offspring that it has not sired. But humans on the other hand have the tendency to Godfather any unrelated kid thanks to Oxytocin. It is the keystone for long term relationship, empathy, generosity and yes Altruism. It plays a crucial part in establishing social bonds facilitating human societies and connections.

Our elegant social clubs, colourful Social media, Instagram, Twitter handles all are simply extensions of this medical necessity and owe their popularity to this tiny molecule comprising of only nine amino acids.

Dopamine and our reward system.