Article

Playing with dogs helps people concentrate and relax, brain recordings show

NBC News: March 13, 2024, 2:00 PM EDT By Aria Bendix

A recent study looked into the neurological effects of interacting with dogs, shedding light on how specific activities with canines impact brainwave patterns and emotional states. Conducted in South Korea, researchers monitored participants' brainwaves while engaging in various activities with a poodle named Aro. Results revealed that playing with Aro and taking her for walks elicited stronger alpha brain waves, indicating increased relaxation, while activities like brushing and massaging her boosted beta brain waves, signifying improved concentration without added stress. Participants reported feeling less stressed, fatigued, and depressed after the interactions, particularly highlighting the positive impact of activities like massaging, feeding, and hugging the dog. The findings contribute to the understanding of how interactions with dogs can promote better relaxation, emotional stability, attention, and creativity, offering insights into the potential therapeutic benefits of human-canine relationships, particularly in alleviating symptoms of stress, depression, and PTSD.

Four labradors on hay

Key Takeaways

  1. The study explores the neurological effects of interacting with dogs, focusing on how specific activities with canines influence brainwave patterns and emotional states.
  2. Researchers conducted the study in South Korea, monitoring participants' brainwaves while engaging in various activities with a poodle named Aro.
  3. Results indicated that playing with Aro and taking her for walks resulted in stronger alpha brain waves, suggesting increased relaxation.
  4. Activities like brushing and massaging the dog boosted beta brain waves, indicating improved concentration without added stress.
  5. Participants reported feeling less stressed, fatigued, and depressed after the interactions, with activities like massaging, feeding, and hugging the dog having particularly positive effects.
  6. The findings contribute to understanding how interactions with dogs can promote better relaxation, emotional stability, attention, and creativity.
  7. Human-canine relationships offer potential therapeutic benefits, especially in alleviating symptoms of stress, depression, and PTSD.

From the Article

Plenty of research has investigated the bond between humans and dogs, demonstrating that canine companions can improve people’s moods, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Just looking dogs in the eye may even boost levels of oxytocin, a hormone associated with feelings of love and trust. 

But few past studies have pinpointed what happens in people’s brains when they interact with a furry friend.

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