A feature story in Fast Company called “Doctor Love” says that during an experiment done on the author of the piece, his oxytocin level spiked to the ”equivalent to the hormonal spike experienced by the groom at the wedding” while he spent 10 minutes on Twitter.
Oxytocin is a hormone that our brain uses to connect in an emphatic way with others, the researcher featured in the piece, Neuroeconomist Paul Zak, said to the author of the piece about the experiment that, ”Your brain interpreted tweeting as if you were directly interacting with people you cared about or had empathy for. E-connection is processed in the brain like an in-person connection.” He goes on to say that if the link is proven, it could have far-reaching health benefits as releasing oxytocin helps to reduce stress.
Well, there you have it, a study of one (the author fully mentions this) but hey, now if you get a special feeling regarding your Twitter friends, just remember that it could be the chemicals in your brain telling you that tweeting is good for your health.
If facebook love is really like being in love, than let me be the first one to say that Facebook is F@$^#D.
Hmmm…Isn’t this the same kind of feeling some get from smoking, drinking, gambling and even sex? It used to be called an “addiction.” Anything can become an addictive behavior for those with an addictive personality. As with all things we enjoy, the key here is moderation.
It’s a big world and we have so many options. No one should spend all of their time doing just any one thing, no matter what that one thing may be.
I wouldn’t say this is referring to the same thing as addiction. It is pointing out that being on Twitter and interacting with humans causes and emotional spike just as getting married would. It is all about the emotional human to human interactions. This is natural whether expressed in person or over a distance via computer screens
Hi Kelsi: May be a case of splitting hairs. I’m “addicted” to my wife, because when we are together the hormones are always raging. Not too many people married 33 tears can make that same claim. I suppose there are good addictions like this (call it love), but moderation still tells me that we are best off when we take some time off from one another and engage in our personal hobbies, get together with our buddies and lunch ladies (respectively) and of course, go to work everyday to make a living.
“Years” not “Tears” Gee I hope that wasn’t a Freudian slip. LOL!!
haha i’m sure the slip will not come back to haunt you! But I guess your right if you tie addicted into love… It looked at it that way. Many people LOVE them some facebook! haha
Who doesn’t love Facebook?