Scientists have found out how playing and caring for dogs affects the human brain

Scientists have found out how playing and caring for dogs affects the human brain

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Interaction with dogs can benefit a person’s emotional health. It enhances brain waves associated with rest and relaxation.

Such conclusions were made by South Korean scientists in their study, published in the scientific journal PLOS One, informs CNN.

Scientists have found out how specific types of interaction with a dog affect a person’s mood. To do this, they involved measurements of brain activity and asked the participants of the experiment about their emotions.

30 adults, whose average age is about 28 years old, took part in the study. Scientists met them in salons for animals and in a dog grooming school.

Before the interaction, to minimize any stimulation, participants sat and stared at the wall for three minutes.

Each of them performed eight activities with a four-year-old trained poodle. These included introductions, games, feeding, massage, grooming, photography, cuddling and walking the dog.

During each of the activities for three minutes, the scientists measured the brain waves of the participants using an electroencephalogram (EEG). Between tasks, participants filled out questionnaires that included questions about their emotional state.

Different activities had different effects on brain waves. Playing games and walking the dog increased the strength of alpha oscillations, which indicate calmness and relaxation. According to research, alpha wave activity is associated with improved memory and reduced stress.

Dog grooming, play, and gentle massage were associated with increased beta-band oscillations associated with increased attention and concentration. Participants also experienced significantly less depression, stress and fatigue after interacting with the poodle.

Although not all participants had their own pets, their love of animals probably motivated them to participate in the experiment. According to study co-author Onyu Yu, this could potentially have influenced the results

“Animal therapy can be very beneficial for people who enjoy being around animals,” – he noted.

Further experiments with a larger number of participants are needed to definitively confirm the results of the study.

We will remind, the study showeddog owners care more about their pets than cat owners.