Short Wave Lessons in Love From Voles
15 snips
Feb 14, 2025 
John Hamilton, NPR's murine romance expert, dives into the intriguing world of prairie voles, known for their lifelong partnerships. He discusses how scientists used these cuddly rodents to unravel the mysteries of oxytocin in love. However, recent studies reveal that this 'love hormone' might not be the sole architect of emotional bonds. Hamilton explores the broader biological landscape of love, revealing the unexpected complexity behind our instincts for connection and attachment, and how these insights could reshape our understanding of human relationships.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Prairie Vole Love
- Prairie voles mate for life and co-parent.
- They share nests and huddle together, resembling some human couples.
Voles as Model Organisms
- Prairie voles are excellent models for human social behavior, especially pair bonding.
- Studies show the importance of oxytocin, the "love hormone," in their pair bonding.
Oxytocin and Pair Bonding
- Researchers removed oxytocin receptors in prairie voles using CRISPR.
- Surprisingly, these voles still formed pair bonds, challenging the idea of oxytocin as the sole "love hormone."