A mother’s phone call can raise oxytocin levels and reduce stress levels in the child as much as a hug can, according the latest research into the cuddle hormone.  At least the study found it was true for girls.  The researchers chose to ignore sons because ‘oxytocin responses are stronger in females’.   A pity as the recent study linking oxytocin to increased empathy in males shows the interest in the role that oxytocin can have in male behaviour.

There might be an evolutionary reason for other responses, experts believe. A threatened male is free to choose between “fight or flight”, but this may not be so easy for a female who is pregnant or caring for offspring. It might be that females alleviate stress by making the peace.

Seltzer is investigating whether other forms of communication, such as text messaging, have an effect on oxytocin and hopes to expand the research into animals.

Source : Mothers’s phone call as comforting as a hug, says oxytocin study