Your Dog Is Literally Rewiring Your Brain, Science Says

Maybe it's time we all spent a little more quality time with our dogs and cats – doctor's orders.

Look, we all know dogs are awesome. They're unconditionally loving, they're loyal, and they make us feel warm and fuzzy inside. But did you know that hanging out with your soulful sidekick is actually changing your brain chemistry? Yeah, for real.

A new study out of South Korea just dropped some mind-blowing insights into what goes on upstairs when we're chilling with our canine companions. Researchers at Konkuk University strapped brainwave detecting headsets onto 30 adults and had them hang out with Aro, a poodle. (Side note: Does this mean that some people have "play with dogs" in their job description? Where do I apply?)

Here's the wild part: Different types of interactions with Aro lit up different parts of the participants' brains. Walking Aro brought on instant chill, activating alpha brain waves associated with relaxation. Brushing her coat? Participants' began to show high levels of beta wave activity, linked to concentration. Playing fetch induced a double whammy of relaxation AND concentration.

But wait, there's more. After all the puppy playtime, participants reported feeling less stressed, less tired, and less depressed. Almost like a therapy session, but with more belly rubs and sloppy kisses.

Onyoo Yoo, the head researcher behind the study, says these findings are big deal because most research on human-dog bonds focuses on overall mood or hormonal changes in the body. Yoo's work was able to record in granual detail what exactly is changing in our brains when our pups are nearby.

Now, before you go trading in your therapist for a Labradoodle, pump the brakes a bit. While dogs have shown promise in helping with conditions like PTSD (especially for veterans and first responders), the jury's still out on exactly how effective they are as a standalone treatment.

Two separate studies, conducted in 2020 and 2022 respectively, found that while trained service dogs were more helpful for PTSD symptoms than regular pet dogs, both had some positive impact. However, the evidence remains stronger for psychotherapy treatment at least from the information we have currently.

Still, for animal lovers, research continues to emerge that supports the idea that the benefits of living with pets are real and observable. Even Olympic athletes are joining the therapy dog movement. Your dog isn't just a cute Instagram prop or a walking floor crumb vacuum. Fur-baby doesn't even begin to cover it. Our soulful companions are legitimate mood-boosting, brain-changing powerhouses.

So what's the takeaway? For one, the fact that researchers are diving deep into the neuroscience of human-animal bonds is frankly pretty rad. It's a sign that society is finally catching up to what pet parents have known all along: our relationships with our furry (or scaly, or feathery) friends are seriously profound. We've moved beyond the old "it's just a pet" mentality and recognizing that for many of us, our animals are family members, emotional support systems, and major sources of joy and meaning in our lives.

As more studies like this emerge, it not only validates the deep connections we feel with our pets but also opens doors for new ways to harness these bonds for mental health and wellbeing. So the next time someone gives you side-eye for calling yourself a "dog mom" or splurging on that fancy cat tower, just remember – science is on your side.

Lizz Caputo is the Manager of Content Strategy at Figo, animal enthusiast, and owner of a rescued senior American Bully. Her hobbies include checking out new restaurants in her area, boxing, and petting dogs of all shapes and sizes.