As we well know, dopamine is a neurotransmitter in our brain that is part of the reward system, the one that it makes us feel satisfied or pleased when we do something we like or make us happy.
According to a new study Dopamine would help new mothers create a stronger bond with their babies, as it helps facilitate emotional bonds.
The study consisted of analyze the reaction in the brain of 19 mothers to find out which regions were activated when they watched videos of their babies. This research could help develop therapies that help fight postpartum depression and other disorders in the system that regulates dopamine, such as Parkinson's disease, addictions and social dysfunctions.
The researchers discovered that the level of dopamine in mothers is related to the level of synchrony with their baby, as well as the strength of the connection within the brain called the medial tonsil, which is responsible for supporting social belonging.
It was then found that social belonging is a powerful stimulator of dopamine, which would imply that Having strong social relationships could improve conditions if you have a disorder, such as depression.
It is known that people manage to cope better with diseases when there is a strengthened support network, be they friends or family. According to the researchers, what this study suggests is that caring for others and not only receiving care, may have the ability to raise dopamine levels.
The researchers focused on dopamine because it acts in different brain systems to boost the motivation required to work for a reward.
To carry out the study, a novel machine was used that was able to do two different types of brain scans simultaneously. Each one reviews two aspects of the brain: one follows the course of the blood towards the different areas of the brain, showing how regions are activated differently and how they connect in networks. The other uses a special ink that is injected into the blood and can be traced to generate images that show the specific distribution of a neurotransmitter, in this case dopamine.
Prior to this study, videos of mothers at home interacting with their babies were filmed, as well as babies playing alone. Both were designated measures in their behaviors to determine the degree of synchrony between mothers and children.
The mothers were then placed in the machine to scan their brains. First they were shown the video of their baby playing alone and then the video of another baby they did not know doing the same.
The researchers then discovered that the mothers who were more synchronized with their babies showed a much higher dopamine response when they saw their own baby playing, strengthening the bond between them.
With these results it can also be determined that the social environment could have an impact on brain development, since it is determined that the health of people in the future is affected by the care they receive when they are babies. The latter because the processes in the mother's brain are directly related to the example of social behavior that babies are given, showing them what is necessary for their brains to "connect normally."
In summary, The longer we spend with our babies, the higher levels of dopamine we will have, and these in turn, will help us further strengthen the relationship with them. thanks to the sense of reward they provide us. This is one of the discoveries that prove the importance of forming a strong emotional bond between mothers and babies, and with which both are benefited.
