If you are planning something special with your mother this Mother's Day, she is not the only one who will benefit. The sound of a mother's voice can trigger the production of oxytocin, often called the love hormone, in her child, according to Dr Susan Albers at the Cleveland Clinic.
Oxytocin is produced in the brain region responsible for regulating mood and is released into the bloodstream, where it lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Because we hear our mother's voices even in the womb, we become accustomed to receiving that oxytocin boost regularly, explained Albers, a psychologist at the clinic.
“The brain is wired early on to make a connection between safety and security and her voice, which can last into adulthood,” she said.
How significant is hearing our mother's voice? It can be as effective as receiving a hug, according to research from 2010. Hugs are among the most powerful ways to feel better quickly. In that study, young girls aged 7 to 12 solved math problems in front of strangers, which spiked their cortisol levels. Afterwards, they were either comforted by their mothers in person or handed a phone with their mother on the line. The effect was “virtually the same,” reported University of Wisconsin researchers, and it was long-lasting. “It stays well beyond that stressful task,” said Seth Pollak, a psychology professor at the university. “By the time the children go home, they are still enjoying the benefits of this relief and their cortisol levels remain low.”
However, not everyone can simply pick up the phone. Nearly one-third of Americans have lost their mothers, according to 2023 census data, particularly those over age 50. If you cannot speak to your mother in person or on the phone, or you have no saved voicemails, Albers advises not to underestimate the power of your own mind. Imagine your mother's voice in your head if she is not around. “Your brain stores the memory of her voice and turns it into an internal dialogue that can be comforting in moments when you are feeling stressed,” she said.
