The Chemistry of Connection: How the Oxytocin Response Can Help You Find Trust, Intimacy, and Love

by Susan Kuchinskas

When you make love, cuddle with a partner, or have coffee with close friends, a powerful brain chemical called oxytocin floods your body with feelings of contentment and trust. This natural "love drug," produced by the hypothalamus, is responsible for human bonding in both platonic and intimate relationships, and is the key to many of the psychological differences between men and women. In The Chemistry of Connection , you'll learn easy ways to increase your natural supply of oxytocin to establish deeper connections with family, friends, and romantic partners.
You'll

Genres: Nonfiction, Relationships, Science, Parenting, Health

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

As a kid, Susan Kuchinskas spent hours catching toads, watching rabbits and starting ant wars -- and reading, reading, reading.

She's never lost her love for creatures of all kinds. In fifth grade, she discovered the bookmobile's science fiction section and read nothing else until she got to college.

After the usual writer's mix of odd jobs – gogo dancer, housepainter, office temp – she happened into journalism. As a technology journalist, she covered the rise and fall of the dotcoms, the move to digital and mobile, and the ascendance of social media.

She's the author of two previous books, Going Mobile: A Guide to Real-time Mobile Applications that Work (CMP Books 2003), and The Chemistry of Connection: How the Oxytocin Response Can Help You Find Trust, Intimacy and Love (New Harbinger 2008).

Her short stories have been published in anthologies and journals including Deep Space Dog Fight and Chicago Literati. This is her first novel.

To exercise the parts of her body and mind that don't get a workout from writing, Susan is an organic gardener, beekeeper, sculptor and DIY re-modeler. She enjoys uncovering exotic cultures at home and abroad.

She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her mate, Mike, and their socially challenged dog and super-chill cat.

Reviews

[Juan Pablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was short, but for me personally, I had to digest it slowly. There were so many revelations that were also punched to the gut, but are nonetheless still good to know. This book has helped me see what I personally have missed out on & where I may be able to fix things on my own. It's just over 150 pages & depending on your experiences with proper bonding, it can be a doozy BUT well worth the read.

[Anastasia Mcdonnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent review of how imperative good mothering is to our babies and the world at large. Required reading for every pregnant woman and her mate, along with a great explanation of how to work on building oxytocin and thus bonding in our adolescent children and our adult relationships, too.

[Samantha Spawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative

This book gave me a lot of insight into why attachment problems happen. It also gave me a few wonderful ideas to help engage the oxytocin response in my daughter.

[Mirka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly fascinating!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the bonding hormone, Oxytocin. I firmly believe the quality of our connections with others are rooted in our intent, words, and actions. This book explains the chemical basis for human bonding and the idea intrigues me.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oxytocin and bonding research.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love knowing the science behind feelings and emotions. Helps to understand why some people behave the what they do.