Towards a Bio-Social Model of Well-being: The Synergetic Relationship of the Oxytocin System and Social Factors Promoting Interpersonal Sensitivity

Understanding the mechanisms that can help us lead happier lives has long been a central goal of researchers and laypeople alike. Recently, researchers have become interested in the biological systems related to well-being which could potentially be manipulated through pharmacology. Oxytocin-a chemical messenger in the brain and bloodstream-has emerged as a leading candidate to support trust, cooperation, nurture of children, romantic pair bonding, and ultimately, well-being. Research on oxytocin and the oxytocin receptor gene (a gene centrally important to the functionality of the oxytocin system) suggests that greater levels of oxytocin (and a more functional receptor) are biological underpinnings of well-being. Enthusiasm over oxytocin has already led to its suggestion as a method for treating autism, social phobia, and borderline personality disorder. Even more strikingly, companies such as Oxytocin Factor and Liquid Trust now sell oxytocin nasal sprays to the general public, promising relief from stress, elevated levels of trust, and happier relationships.

The reality of oxytocin, however, is far more complex. Numerous findings now demonstrate that oxytocin can in fact be damaging to some individuals, reducing their sociability and well-being. Some work on the oxytocin receptor gene has also found that individuals with two copies of the supposedly more functional version of the oxytocin receptor gene have lower levels of well-being and social functioning than carriers of the purported less functional variant of the gene. Thus, a new framework must be developed for understanding when and for whom oxytocin may provide beneficial outcomes.
In the present proposal, I develop a bio-social model of the oxytocin system relationship with well-being. The model holds that oxytocin functions by increasing people's level of interpersonal sensitivity-that is, the degree to which people can detect and act upon the thoughts and feelings of others. I argue that such interpersonal sensitivity is good only to a certain extent. Specifically, too little sensitivity, and the person is disengaged from others and struggles to form relationships; too much sensitivity, and the person may become hyper-sensitive to social inputs, resulting in anxiety and unhealthy engagement patterns. Oxytocin, however, is only one factor that affects interpersonal sensitivity-several social factors are also important which develop as a function of our childhood experiences and cultural backgrounds. Within my model, I argue that oxytocin (and the oxytocin receptor) are beneficial for well-being when these social factors have led individuals to low levels of interpersonal sensitivity, boosting them into a moderate range. Furthermore, I argue that oxytocin (and the oxytocin receptor gene) can be maladaptive for individuals already high in interpersonal sensitivity, as it may push them into a very high range on interpersonal sensitivity.

Thus, the new model aims to provide an explanatory framework for understanding why oxytocin (and the oxytocin receptor gene) appear to be beneficial only for a select group of individuals, and in particular, how social forces may act as important determinants of whether a person will benefit from oxytocin or not. Given the interest in oxytocin to treat mental illness and use in everyday life, the present work will provide important answers to both regulators and private enterprises in understanding when and for whom oxytocin may provide benefits.

Interesting in oxytocin application has centered on usage in clinical populations to treat various mental illnesses and as a general public pharmaceutical for increasing well-being. The present research is likely to make an impact in both arenas.

Amongst clinicians, oxytocin has been proposed to treat various mental illnesses, including autism, phobias, and borderline personality disorder. However, since the underlying effects of oxytocin are still poorly understood, the applicability of oxytocin to treat these illnesses is questionable. The present work will provide new evidence for oxytocin's functionality to center on boosting interpersonal sensitivity. Understanding this global function of oxytocin will allow clinicians to apply oxytocin to illnesses specifically characterized by deficits in interpersonal sensitivity.

The present work also has potential to make a large impact on regulators and private enterprises engaged in the selling of oxytocin nasal sprays to the general public. Companies, such as Liquid Trust, promise users greater levels of intimacy, lower levels of anxiety, and higher levels of trust. However, recent work suggests that the benefits of oxytocin are selective, and in fact, many individuals may experience no benefits and some potentials detriments from oxytocin usage. My proposal offers a framework for understanding who may benefit from oxytocin usage and a mechanism for why. Furthermore, by working with regulators and private enterprises, I hope to help develop tools for screening individuals who may benefit from those who may experience detriments when using oxytocin.