“A different Japanese study showed that playing with a dog with which you have a strong bond—a dog that is more likely to make eye contact with you—can increase oxytocin. This suggests that having someone look to you for support or trust can increase oxytocin. Simply petting a dog can also start an upward spiral. Petting, like other forms of light touch, boosts oxytocin. And petting a dog, even someone else’s dog, also increases dopamine and endorphins. The increases in these other neurotransmitters provides even more thrust to an upward spiral.” PlayDogTrustPetBondDopamineEndorphinsOxytocin Book:The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time Source: The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time