Edited by Roger Klein, PsyD and Mary McHenry, MSW  Welcome to the December 2010 edition of The TLC Practitioner, an eNews publication from The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children, a program of Starr Institute for Training. We welcome your comments, questions and contributions. Email us at [email protected].

Let the Oxytocin Flow! A Brief Holiday Message

First, on behalf of our editors and all the staff at TLC Starr Institute for Training we wish you the best of the holiday season and the year to come. Oxytocin and Generosity It must be true if it was reported in USA Today. Actually, it is true. Oxytocin is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland and is associated with generosity (Foltz, 2008). In the November 30, 2010 issue of USA Today an entire section (1D and 5D) was devoted to holiday giving under the title, “The Mystery of Why People Give.” In a reported experiment one group was given an oxytocin nasal spray while the other group was given a salt-water spray. Each group played a game that required them to decide whether or not to give away money. Oxytocin increased generosity by 80%. Perhaps we should put oxytocin in the water supply. Fortunately, there is a more cost effective way to produce this feel-good hormone. Simply do something for someone. By giving a little of ourselves to others, the amygdala is activated by oxytocin and sends a message to our cortex to feel good. According to researchers the added warm glow of giving results from oxytocin that is released by our act of giving (Haidt, 20060. Taking research one step further neuroscience now tells us that children are rushing to their parents, significant adult or best friend for a dose of oxytocin when they need comfort (Brendtro, Mitchell, McCall, 2009). So, as we make toasts and boast of all the hard work you do day-in and day-out may your holidays be bubbling over with oxytocin! We will be back with a full issue following the TLC San Antonio Conference and Training in February 2011.

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