How pets helpnour brains

By Di on September 3, 2024

It seems obvious that the furry friends we've chosen to bring into our lives would make us happy, but the science shows that it goes deeper — and the connection comes straight from our brains.
Studies Say
For about a decade, scientists have worked with the idea that pets release oxytocin, or the neurochemical of love, in our brains when we see them. The hormone makes us feel happy and trusting, which contributes to the human-animal bond. In recent years, they've pushed that idea by investigating how exactly we benefit from owning pets and whether those without pets (such as nursing home residents and students in dorms) could benefit from occasional visits.

Key Takeaways
Although the research field isn't broad in this area, we can still learn several updates about pets and our brains...