How prairie voles may help — and complicate — love in humans : Short Wave : NPR

Prairie voles mate for all times and are ceaselessly used to check human conduct.

Todd H. Ahern/Emory College

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Todd H. Ahern/Emory College

Prairie voles mate for all times and are ceaselessly used to check human conduct.

Todd H. Ahern/Emory College

For years, scientists have recognized that oxytocin is necessary in facilitating the sensation of affection in people. How do they know? Prairie voles. For years, scientists have relied on the cuddly rodents to assist us people perceive how this protein works in our brains. However inside the previous few years, analysis has sophisticated that understanding, prompting the query: Can love prevail with out the “love” hormone? (encore)

Struck by cupid’s arrow and questioning what’s love received to do with it? E mail us at shortwave@npr.org.

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This episode was produced by Thomas Lu, edited by Gabriel Spitzer and Gisele Grayson, and fact-checked by Anil Oza. Josh Newell was the audio engineer.