Research shows that slow gentle skin stroking can activate special sensory nerves in the skin
that elicit relaxing effects on the body and mind, similar to the effects of the hormone
oxytocin. Studies also suggest that gentle stroking may even release oxytocin in the skin.
However, we do not know what oxytocin does in the skin and how it affects nerves that send
pleasant touch or pain signals to the brain. The proposed study will determine how
individuals perceive gentle stroking and experimental pain before and after a skin injection
of oxytocin compared to a placebo injection.