The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if oxytocin reduces pain in a small area of skin after pulses of non-burning heat by changing how nerves in the heated area react to pressing a thin, bendable plastic bristle and a thick, non-bending plastic bristle in adult, healthy participants. The man questions it aims to answer are:
Does oxytocin increase the number of times a fiber which normally responds only to the thin bristle fires (sends a signal) after the heat pulses.
Does oxytocin raise the number of times a fiber which normally responds only to the thick bristle fires (sends a signal) after the heat pulses.
Researchers will compare oxytocin to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if oxytocin ABC works to change how nerves react to light touch and painful pressing in an area of sensitized skin.
Participants will:
Receive an intravenous injection of oxytocin or placebo on one occasion On the same day, a needle will be put near nerve fibers to record their firing before and after a few cycles of short heating of the skin.