Marian Rojas Estapé is a prominent psychiatrist, writer and lecturer recognized for her fresh and accessible approach to topics related to mental health, emotional well-being and positive psychology.
Through her books, conferences, and podcasts, Marian Rojas Estapé offers practical tools and advice to improve quality of life, foster resilience, and cultivate a positive mindset. Her empathetic approach and ability to connect with audiences have made her a noted psychological popularizer.
Dr. Rojas Estapé has published three books, two of which have become bestsellers: How to Make Good Things Happen to You and Find Your Vitamin Person. Recently, we can enjoy her latest release, Recover your mind, reconquer your life.
As it could not be otherwise, and given the interest we have at ‘Peludos’ in everything related to animals, we would like to recommend the chapter of the podcast by psychiatrist Marian Rojas entitled “Animals are also oxytocin”; a truly magical and powerful episode.
The psychiatrist begins the chapter by explaining that in 2012 she lost her friend Rafa, who suffered from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). This loss affected her deeply and led her to reflect on her life. To clarify her ideas, Rojas retired to her parents’ country house. One day, while she was deep in thought, she was approached by Balti, the family’s golden retriever, who snuggled up next to her.
“I immediately felt that in some way he was hugging me, taking care of me, and sensing my pain,” explains Rojas, who thought that the furry creature was trying to alleviate his pain.
With the pandemic, we were able to see how loneliness took over many of us, although animals were the best balm. A trend that has only grown since then. In Spain there are more pets than young people under 15 years of age. And, as Rojas says, “something important and special arises when an animal is cared for.”
The psychiatrist explains in the podcast that some studies claim that coexistence between dogs and humans, for example, reduces the risk of colds, coronary heart disease and stress, in addition to increasing exercise habits by being forced to take them for a walk at least once. once a day.
Many of you will know Marian Rojas for talking a lot about oxytocin, known as the hormone of love, childbirth and breastfeeding. This hormone is activated and released the moment we interact with people or animals, and gives us a feeling of peace.
Oxytocin acts as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the central nervous system, modulating our social, romantic and parental behaviors, as well as influencing sexual patterns. It is one of the hormones responsible for sensations such as calm, relaxation and general well-being. Oxytocin is closely related to bonding, empathy, and trust. In addition, it is associated with stress reduction, since the more oxytocin, the less cortisol.
According to Rojas, we live in a world saturated with cortisol, in which finding ways to mitigate those high levels of the stress hormone helps enormously, and oxytocin is one of them.
This is where animals come in, as they can greatly help us reduce cortisol. And many people experience grief and suffer biochemically when they are separated from their animals, since the bond that has been generated between them is of extraordinary strength.
In general, according to the psychiatrist, interaction with animals improves important aspects such as empathy, interpretation of emotions and self-control. “The direct contact of human beings with animals at different ages is beneficial for physical and emotional development,” explains Rojas in the podcast.
Marian Rojas comments that she usually recommends, as a complement to therapy, that her patients get an animal to care for and with which they can establish an emotional bond.
Rojas emphasizes the importance of animals in our lives and explains other research in which it has been shown that the presence of companion animals not only has psychological or social benefits, but is also reflected in measurable physical aspects, such as the reduction heart rate or blood pressure.
Marian Rojas adds that several studies have shown that interaction with animals helps reduce measurable levels of stress, distress and anxiety. This is because they provide us with companionship and comfort, which increases the feeling of security when caring for an animal and interacting with it. In addition, they distract us from work and personal worries and problems, relieving stress and some of its physical manifestations.
The simple act of petting an animal is directly associated with reducing stress, which helps lower heart rate and blood pressure.
The psychiatrist also talks about the different animal therapies that exist and how necessary and beneficial they are today.
To conclude the episode of Marian Rojas’ podcast, “Animals are also oxytocin”, the psychiatrist introduces us to the concept of biophilia. This concept maintains that people are intrinsically linked to nature and that this contact is essential for our full physical and psychological development.
Rojas reveals to us the origin of this word, which was coined by the psychologist and philosopher Eric Fromm, although it was the Harvard University biologist, Edward Wilson, who later developed it. “Wilson claimed that more than 99% of human history has passed in close connection with nature, where hunting and gathering turned us into biocentric beings. The remaining 1% corresponds to urban life as we know it today” explains Marian.
As an unbeatable conclusion and closing of this chapter, Marian shares with us that “animals can be great enhancers of the oxytocin that we need to mitigate the effects of the toxic cortisol that invades us today.”
So you know, readers of ‘Peludos’, if you are fortunate enough to share your life with an animal, you will understand what Marian Rojas is referring to. Long live the union between humans and animals!
