Running with Sherman: How a Rescue Donkey Inspired a Rag-tag Gang of Runners to Enter the Craziest Race in America

by Christopher McDougall

Or a jolt of the “love hormone”—oxytocin. That’s exactly what was happening, as later studies demonstrated: By petting those dogs, the children were receiving a surge of oxytocin, a hormone that triggers acute feelings of trust, compassion, and affection. Oxytocin is the brain chemical that makes us feel safe and loved. It relieves pain, helps you sleep, and even boosts your immune system, so you’re less likely to get sick. Oxytocin is the reason you feel stronger after a warm hug, and why new mothers are able to nurse; that hormonal boost not only helps a mother bond to her newborn but provides a sense of security that it’s safe to feed. During those sunny moments when you feel the world is a wonderful place and you’re lucky to be here, more than likely you’re experiencing a burst of oxytocin. The love hormone is so powerful that it’s even effective against one of the toughest challenges in modern mental health: treatment of combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).