The Surprising Science of "Puppy Dog Eyes" (And Why It Eases Suffering)

What is the surprising science of "puppy dog eyes"? It’s a complex cocktail of neurochemicals, led by oxytocin, that reduces stress, anxiety, and pain when humans and dogs interact . In this interview, Tombot founder Tom Stevens explains how dogs were selectively bred for millennia to have unique eye muscles that imitate human babies, triggering our innate need to care for them. This powerful bond is the reason he created an AI-driven robotic pet after his mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis forced him to make a heartbreaking choice—taking away her beloved real dog—a decision that turned him from the "good son" to the "villain" in her eyes. Check out the company: https://www.tombot.com

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🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - I Became The Villain to My Mom After Her Alzheimer's Diagnosis

03:47 - How Alzheimer's Turned My Sweet Mom Mean & Nasty

07:49 - The Guilt of Becoming a Parent to My Own Parent

11:14 - The Unsettling Reality of a Loved One's Cognitive Decline

15:17 - The Hidden Dangers of Psychotropic Drugs for Seniors

22:32 - The Human-Animal Bond is a Powerful Neurochemical Cocktail

26:14 - The Science of "Puppy Dog Eyes"

29:56 - How We Bred Dogs to Imitate Human Babies

33:48 - Why Our Robotic Pet Can't Talk

37:25 - A New Tool to Monitor Sundowning Syndrome in Dementia Patients

41:13 - You Don't Have to Be a Lone Ranger in Your Struggle

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