What You Need To Know About Oxytocin

Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin is a hormone typically associated with social bonding, sex, breastfeeding, and childbirth. Having the right balance of oxytocin can make a huge difference in sexual satisfaction. The prevalence of oxytocin can also influence stress levels, trust, empathy, and how close we feel to other people. You may boost oxytocin by spending time with those you love, engaging in physical intimacy, cuddling with a pet, doing yoga, meditating, and eating a healthy diet. A licensed therapist may be able to provide further guidance regarding oxytocin production.

How the “love hormone” is released by the brain and pituitary gland

Here are some basics you should know about oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone,” or the “cuddle hormone.” Understanding more about this hormone and how it influences human behavior may help you develop a deeper awareness of what’s happening in your body during different situations.

Oxytocin production: from the brain to the pituitary gland

Oxytocin is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain. Then, its release is regulated by the posterior pituitary gland.

Activities that can trigger oxytocin release

The “love hormone” can be released during a variety of activities. During childbirth, oxytocin can stimulate uterine contractions. Oxytocin release can also play a role in sexual arousal, milk ejection during breastfeeding, and more. 

The impact of “the love hormone”

Oxytocin can have powerful physical and mental health effects. We’ll explore some of these in greater detail below.

Oxytocin in relationships 

Why is oxytocin called the “cuddle chemical?” The answer becomes clear when we understand the important role this chemical messenger plays in relationship building, romantic attachment, and social interactions. 

When we kiss or hug a loved one for as little as 20 seconds, the oxytocin hormone can be stimulated, potentially increasing the connection between two people. Even small gestures of affection can release oxytocin and strengthen the bond between a couple; this might include holding hands, giving gentle kisses, and staring into each other’s eyes. During sexual intercourse, a significant amount of oxytocin and dopamine can be released, increasing attachment to a sexual partner. At the same time, the neural systems may be linked, strengthening social bonding.

Oxytocin can also be involved in social recognition. Researchers have found that oxytocin can boost attraction. Similarly, they’ve found that seeing a photo of your partner can stimulate the oxytocin hormone. In other words, this hormone can have a big effect on your relationships. If you find that you have little or no romantic engagement, have a difficult time sexually, or are not forging meaningful bonds with your child, you may wish to speak to your medical care provider about your oxytocin levels. Hormone therapies and other kinds of treatment may be available to address these concerns.

Oxytocin and sex

Sex can be an important element of some relationships. As mentioned previously, sex can boost your oxytocin levels dramatically, and this hormone can promote feelings of trust, love, and devotion. It may also enhance feelings of closeness, which are often considered the foundation of relationships. In addition to being mood boosters, the oxytocin hormone and other endorphins released during sex and orgasm can be beneficial for fighting conditions like depression and anxiety.

Before the release of oxytocin during sex, another chemical called dopamine is usually released in the brain. It’s often released when exercising or doing anything pleasurable, and it can come with many health benefits. It can also be an effective pain and stress reliever.

The increase of oxytocin levels during childbirth

One of the more interesting effects of oxytocin, and one of its key aspects, is the role it plays in childbirth. In labor, nerve impulses increase levels of oxytocin, causing contractions. Synthetic oxytocin is sometimes used to strengthen contractions while giving birth. Oxytocin may also contribute to parent-infant bonding.

Love hormones: Vasopressin vs. oxytocin

Vasopressin and oxytocin are both considered love hormones, but oxytocin is usually released during an orgasm, and vasopressin is generally released after sex. Vasopressin is also known as an anti-diuretic hormone, because it typically works with your kidneys to control thirst.

Potential benefits of healthy oxytocin levels

Oxytocin can have a variety of potential benefits for mental and physical health.

• It can be a mood booster.

• It can improve sleep, which may be helpful for insomnia.

• It can reduce fear.

• It can relieve pain.

• It can reduce stress and anxiety.

• It can boost the immune system.

• It may lower blood pressure.

Oxytocin is also being studied as a possible treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder who previously had low oxytocin levels, although more research may be needed.

Effects of too much oxytocin

Too much oxytocin may have undesired effects, however. An example includes benign prostatic hypertrophy, a condition affecting more than half of men over age 60.

How to boost oxytocin levels naturally

To gain some of oxytocin’s benefits for your body and mind, you might consider strategies for boosting your oxytocin levels. Research suggests links between increased oxytocin levels and activities like yoga, meditation, getting a massage, and spending time with people you care about. This hormone may also be released by petting an animal. 

Doing something kind for others can also raise oxytocin levels and contribute to the development of closer relationships. Eating a diet rich in vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin C, such as a diet including citrus fruit, spinach, peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, avocado, and dark chocolate, may also produce oxytocin.

As mentioned previously, engaging in physical intimacy can play a significant role in triggering the release of oxytocin. Therefore, physical contact may be the fastest way to generate oxytocin. Any physical touch, whether holding hands, hugging, cuddling, or having sex, may increase oxytocin.

Oxytocin therapy

Do you want to boost your mood and alleviate depression, anxiety, or stress? An increase in oxytocin might help. Although therapeutic oxytocin does not easily cross the blood brain barrier, it may still be used to treat mental health disorders and help manage anxiety and depressive symptoms. It can be administered as an injection or by a nasal spray. 

Before using any oxytocin products, it is important to consult your doctor and mental health professional. Only a doctor can determine if this is the right treatment for you. Oxytocin may be suggested as a supplement to other types of therapy.

Online talk therapy for relationship challenges

If you find yourself experiencing any symptoms that could stem from a lack of oxytocin, you may wish to address this with a professional. Online therapy can be one way to help you through these concerns and set goals to improve your well-being and quality of life. 

Experiencing intimacy-related issues can be challenging, especially when you feel you don’t have anyone to turn to. Online therapy may give you the space you need to open up about your feelings. Though you may not feel ready to speak to your partner about how you’re feeling, you can start by confiding in a trustworthy, nonjudgmental party. An online therapist may equip you with the tools you need to see improvement.

The efficacy of online therapy

Online therapy can be a beneficial alternative to in-office therapy. Research shows that electronically delivered therapy can be as effective as traditional face-to-face counseling for a variety of mental health conditions. The lower cost, and nonexistent travel time, can make it a convenient option to consider.