Long, P.; Scholl, J.L.; Wang, X.; Kallsen, N.A.; Ehli, E.A.; Freeman, H. Intranasal Oxytocin and Pain Reduction: Testing a Social Cognitive Mediation Model. Brain Sci.2023, 13, 1689.
Long, P.; Scholl, J.L.; Wang, X.; Kallsen, N.A.; Ehli, E.A.; Freeman, H. Intranasal Oxytocin and Pain Reduction: Testing a Social Cognitive Mediation Model. Brain Sci. 2023, 13, 1689.
Long, P.; Scholl, J.L.; Wang, X.; Kallsen, N.A.; Ehli, E.A.; Freeman, H. Intranasal Oxytocin and Pain Reduction: Testing a Social Cognitive Mediation Model. Brain Sci.2023, 13, 1689.
Long, P.; Scholl, J.L.; Wang, X.; Kallsen, N.A.; Ehli, E.A.; Freeman, H. Intranasal Oxytocin and Pain Reduction: Testing a Social Cognitive Mediation Model. Brain Sci. 2023, 13, 1689.
Abstract
Oxytocin is well known for its role in relationships and social cognition and has more recently been implicated in pain relief and pain perception. Connections between prosocial feelings and pain relief are also well documented, however, effects of exogenous oxytocin on social cognition and pain have not been explored. The current study tested whether intranasally-delivered oxytocin affects pain perception through prosocial behaviors. Additionally, moderation of the effects of oxytocin by life history or genetic polymorphisms are examined. Young adults (n=43; 65% female) were administered intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) or placebo in a crossover design on two visits separated by a one-week washout period. Pain was delivered via cold-pressor. Baseline measures for decision-making and social cognition were collected, as well as pain sensitivity and medication history. Saliva samples were collected for analysis of genetic markers, and urine samples were collected to assess oxytocin saturation. Following oxytocin administration, participants reported increased prosocial cognition and decision-making. Pain perception appeared to be adaptive, with procedural order and expectation affecting perception. Finally, behavioral trust and cooperation responses were significantly predicted by genetic markers. Oxytocin may increase a patient’s trust and cooperation and reduce pain sensitivity while having fewer physiological side effects than current pharmaceutical options.
Keywords
Oxytocin; pain perception; social cognition; decision making; mediation
Subject
Social Sciences, Psychology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
