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*Some brain chemicals can impact blood pressure in low oxygen conditions.
Scientists have identified two brain-produced chemicals, including oxytocin, that is linked to the blood pressure vessel during hypoxia.
According to them, this discovery could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches to managing heart-related diseases, often linked to sleep deprivation and low oxygen states.
It was discovered that the oxytocin hormone, usually called the 'love hormone' could not only affect social bonding and attachment to someone but also your blood pressure, a latest study revealed.
Research indicates that oxytocin and another hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), significantly affect blood pressure.
Oxytocin is well-known for its role in social bonding and attachment, while CRH is critical in stress responses, behaviour, and inflammation.
A recent study aimed to investigate how these neurohormones influence the brainstem, the brain structure responsible for regulating vital functions such as blood pressure, according to Interesting Engineering.
Dr. David Kline, a professor at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, who led the study to explore the relationship between brain chemicals and blood pressure noted that sleep deprivation, often resulting in periods of low oxygen levels (hypoxia), triggers the body to increase breathing to restore oxygen levels.
He said the reflexive response is crucial in understanding how hypoxia affects blood pressure.
"It also causes a reflex for our blood pressure to go up to get that oxygenated blood to go where it needs to go," Kline said in an interview with Live Science.
After thorough experimental research, Dr. Kline highlighted that new therapeutic approaches could open possibilities that clinicians and drug firms could pick up.
However, he also cautioned that it will take time to translate these discoveries into effective treatments for human patients.
The identification of oxytocin and CRH as key players in blood pressure regulation under hypoxic conditions opening exciting possibilities for developing new treatments for heart-related diseases.
As research progresses, these findings may significantly impact how people approach blood pressure management and overall cardiovascular health.
