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Oxytocin (The Love Hormone): Benefits + How to Increase Levels

The AHA! Team — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:11:36 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Why is oxytocin called “the love drug”? It’s responsible for many aspects of social bonding and sexual pleasure and affects emotions. Oxytocin, nicknamed by some experts “the tend and befriend hormone,” is one of the most important hormones that humans (and many other mammals) produce. It plays an important role in: social bonding building relationships reproduction childbirth breastfeeding raising children Here’s something that may come as a surprise: According to the American Psychological Association, oxytocin is released in response to both positive social connection and stressful conditions. Levels have been found to be higher when someone is under stress, such as when exposed to social isolation or when in an unhappy relationship. It’s thought that increased levels may help motivate people to reach out for help. On the other hand, situations that make us feel safe, happy and connected tend to cause the release of several “feel-good hormones,” including oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. What is oxytocin? Oxytocin is a hormone (technically a peptide or neuropeptide) that is involved in bonding. As a neuropeptide, it’s a “chemical messenger” that acts on organs, including the brain. What does oxytocin do, and where is it produced? Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus region in the brain, often called the “control center” of the brain. It’s also thought to be influenced by activation of the amygdala, which is the region of the brain mostly associated with fear and memories. Once the hypothalamus sends signals for oxytocin to be produced, it’s either released into the bloodstream or to other parts of the brain and spinal cord. It binds to oxytocin receptors, influencing how we feel and behave toward others. Oxytocin influences the autonomic nervous system and the immune system. This includes having an effect on the “hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis” (also called the HPA axis), which dictates release of many hormones. This peptide hormone has been said to have “broad implications” for general health, including facilitating adaptation to stressors, development, growth, healing, reproduction and social behavior. It also seems to have anti-inflammatory and even antioxidant effects, since it defends the body against trauma, illness and stress-induced damage. Additionally, it helps keep blood pressure levels in the normal range and also balances cortisol levels, a primary “stress hormone.” We usually think of it as a feminine hormone, but do men produce oxytocin too? Yes. While it was originally considered a hormone that was only found in women due to its tie to labor, lactation and raising children, it’s now known to be present and important in both men and women (although women are still thought to produce more). For example, oxytocin helps with male reproduction, as well as female reproduction, by supporting production of testosterone in the testes and motility of sperm. Additionally, it affects both sexes’ metabolisms, moods, immune systems and more. How the love hormone affects emotions Why is oxytocin called “the love drug”? It’s responsible for many aspects of social bonding and sexual pleasure and affects emotions. Oxytocin also has similarities to endorphins (opiate chemicals) because we produce more in order to soothe ourselves in response to sources of pain and stress. How does oxytocin make you feel? Here’s a basic overview of the emotional effects of oxytocin: Research has told us that oxytocin’s effects are basically the opposite of those linked to our “fight or flight” response. Higher levels are linked to feeling calmer and having a better capacity to deal with stress. Newer research has suggested that increased oxytocin can potentially also increase feelings of generosity, forgiveness, trustworthiness, joy and security. It seems to help increase fidelity and monogamy in relationships by keeping us honest and facilitating compassion/empathy toward others. Plus it increases feelings of protectiveness. Benefits/uses 1. Helps with social bonding and building relationships Can oxytocin make you fall in love? The release of oxytocin is associated with feelings of love and protection, as well as empathy, trust and connectedness. Studies have shown that oxytocin enforces pro-social behaviors, attachment, bonding and even fidelity by rewarding those who maintain good relationships with positive, calm feelings of well-being. One study demonstrated that people in the early stages of romantic attachment, within the first six months of a new relationship, had higher circulating levels of oxytocin. It’s also known that oxytocin levels are high during sexual activity and after orgasms. Many forms of social contact seem to result in bursts of oxytocin, even if it’s anticipated social contact, such as planning for a date, party or get-together. The hormone also works on a “positive feedback loop.” It makes us want to socialize, which further increases our oxytocin production, which then makes us feel good so we continue to seek out relationships with others. 2. Boosts ability to cope with stress While it also works under times of low stress, oxytocin has been shown to be elevated under times of high stress, too. Some studies have found that people who report having poor social relationships usually have higher circulating levels of both oxytocin and the stress hormone cortisol than those reporting better relationships. Externally administering the hormone via supplements has been shown to help mitigate stress reactions, acting as a type of natural buffer. It can make people who are stressed seek out support through better social connections. It may also help protect the nervous system from shutting down in the face of stressful circumstances, including childbirth. By increasing someone’s motivation to find help from others, the hormone can help people find opportunities and engage in behaviors that lead to more security, joy and love. 3. Induces labor What does oxytocin do in women to facilitate reproduction? Not only does it help women bond with their sexual partners or potentially the future fathers of their children, but oxytocin also strengthens labor contractions during childbirth, along with helping control bleeding after childbirth. It facilitates production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that move labor along by increasing contractions. In prescription/synthetic form, it can be used to induce labor or speed up the process. The most widely used form is the brand-name drug Pitocin, which is commonly given to women in the hospital during labor. 4. Supports breastfeeding and child rearing According to a 2018 study focused on human evolution, some of oxytocin’s main functions are to support breastfeeding and nurturing maternal behaviors among both mothers and fathers. Research has linked the hormone to a mother’s ability to care for her infant in multiple ways, one of which is through breastfeeding. When a baby nurses from his/her mother’s breast, nerves in the nipple send a signal to the pituitary gland to produce oxytocin, which then causes tiny muscles around the nipple to squeeze and release milk. Experts also believe that oxytocin helps new mothers and fathers feel calm even during difficult life transitions, one of which is having and caring for a new baby. Levels have been shown to rise in parents due to affectionate touch and contact with their babies and children. 5. May have anti-aging and anti-obesity effects In one study, it was shown that higher oxytocin release is linked with protection against accelerated signs of aging and better regeneration of aged tissue stem cells, including muscle cells. Oxytocin injections may be used in the future to help injuries heal better, improve bone health and possibly prevent obesity. For example, some animal studies have found that oxytocin administration leads to sustained weight reduction by reducing food intake, which is believed to happen because it dampens the brain’s food-related reward circuitry. Additionally, it seems to reduce muscle and joint pain due to pain-dulling and anti-inflammatory effects. Higher circulating levels are also thought to be positively associated with lean mass and bone mineral density. 6. May help with social disorders Oxytocin has been investigated for its potential therapeutic effects on various psychiatric conditions characterized by social deficits and anxiety, including social phobia, autism spectrum disorders and postpartum depression. Research has suggested that oxytocin may modulate social behaviors and reduce anxiety, making it a promising candidate for treating social phobia. A review of clinical trials indicated that oxytocin administration could have beneficial effects across several conditions, including social anxiety. Oxytocin’s role in enhancing social cognition has led to studies exploring its application in autism as well. A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that oxytocin administration showed a significant combined effect in improving social behaviors in individuals with autism. The involvement of oxytocin in mood regulation and maternal behaviors has prompted investigations into its potential therapeutic effects on postpartum depression. Oxytocin is considered a promising neuromodulator for psychotherapeutic interventions in various psychiatric illnesses, including postpartum depression. While these findings are encouraging, it’s important to note that research is ongoing, and the therapeutic use of oxytocin for these conditions is still under investigation. Further studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety profiles in these contexts. How to increase it Both higher- and lower-than-normal levels of oxytocin can cause health problems and changes in behavior among women and men, according to endocrinologists. Here are some examples of how: High levels among men may contribute to enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and urinary problems. Low levels (what some might call “oxytocin deficiency”) among women can interfere with child labor and breastfeeding. Low levels among both sexes have been linked to depression and anxiety, although it still isn’t totally clear how administering oxytocin supplements can help treat these and other mental health conditions. It’s also believed that low levels may be tied to autism and autistic spectrum disorders. Wondering, “How can I increase my oxytocin levels?” Is there a supplement for oxytocin or foods that can naturally boost production? Here are ways that you can naturally boost your production in order to promote feelings of well-being and connectedness: Physical contact. Hugs, massages, being intimate, shaking hands and breastfeeding all cause the release of oxytocin. Physical contact can increase levels whether it’s between lovers, friends, or children and their parents. Essential oils. Research has shown that certain essential oils, including clary sage oil, may help balance hormones and encourage production of “the love hormone.” Making eye contact Laughing Giving and receiving gifts (including money) Altruistic behaviors, such as cooking for others and sharing meals together Petting a dog, cat or other pet Doing “loving kindness” meditations or visualization Telling someone you love him or her Listening to calming music Speaking to someone you trust on the phone Walking or exercising with someone Looking at photos or videos of people you care about, including via social media Supplements, sprays and dosage What happens if you take oxytocin in supplement or spray form? Although more research is still needed to confirm how oxytocin supplements and sprays affect our behaviors and moods, researchers think there’s a possibility that administering this hormone may help people dealing with social and emotional problems. Conditions that oxytocin may be able to help include: autism or Asperger’s disorder social anxiety schizophrenia depression Some early experiments have suggested that oxytocin nasal sprays or injections may help people with these conditions better identify emotional content and facilitate social information processing. The synthetic version of oxytocin given intravenously (Pitocin) is also used to induce labor. Can oxytocin be taken orally? At this time there isn’t an oral supplement of this hormone available. Because it’s destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract, it’s given by injection or nasal spray instead. Dosage of oxytocin depends on why it’s being given and someone’s response; therefore it must be individualized. When it’s given to induce labor, IV infusion is used along with frequent monitoring. Infusion doses starting at 0.5 to 1 milliunits/minute, in some cases increasing up to 6 milliunits/minute, are typically given to women during labor. Does food have oxytocin? This hormone is not found in foods, but it does play a role in regulating appetite. Eating aphrodisiac foods (such as chocolate, coffee, fish, avocado and some herbs) may also improve your mood and desire for connection, leading to higher release. Risks and side effects Are there any oxytocin supplement...

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Why We Should All Cry More, The Mental & Physical Health Benefits of Crying + Is There a Right Way to Cry?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 07:00:20 +0000

Dr. Caroline Leaf – In this podcast (episode #282) and blog, I talk about why crying is not a sign of weakness, the neuroscience behind crying, and how crying can be very beneficial both mentally and physically, especially when it comes to stress reduction, and more! First up, it is important to note that crying is a complex and important behavior that has (surprisingly!) received relatively little attention from scientists. One of [the] main hypothesis regrading crying is that it is a way of signaling distress, joy or empathy, thereby promoting social interaction and support. In other words, crying is one of the main ways we use our body language to communicate how we feel and what we need to others. It can help us bond in a community and build meaningful relationships that enhance our life. Of course, there is little debate that tears are significant social signals. Recent research even theorizes that “crying is an arousing behavior in response to distress, as well as a soothing behavior that reduces arousal after distress.” Based on this study, tears can be both a signal and validating response, helping us recognize and process the highs and lows of life. One area of research that has been studied in depth is emotions, and the importance of finding healthy ways to express our thoughts and feelings. A number of studies have shown suppressing our complex thoughts with their embedded emotions can have negative repercussions in the mind, brain and body, which I discuss in detail in my book Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess and examine in my recent clinical trials. It is important to remember that thoughts are a product of our mind, and take up real estate in the mind and brain. Thoughts look like trees and are made of proteins, chemicals and electromagnetic energy. They are dynamic (always growing and changing) and are made of memories, like a tree is made of branches and roots that grow. Memories are made up of a combination of our experiences, our interpretations of these experiences and our emotions, and are “volcanic” in nature. What this means is that sometimes the emotions get so energized that they “spill” over (or need to be expressed in varying degrees of intensity) to restore balance in the mind and brain. This “spillover” essentially acts as a signal of an underlying issue in our life, much like the ebbs and flows of the earth that signal an oncoming volcanic eruption. Tears are one way many people express their emotions to restore a sense of balance or equilibrium in their life. I am sure you have experienced this feeling at some point in your life! After a good cry, things often feel better, even if nothing has changed per se. But what exactly are tears, and where do they come from? Tears come from the lacrimal glands in the eyes. When we start crying, there is an increase in sympathetic activity in the brain and body, which kindles our flight or fight response; when we stop crying there is an increase in parasympathetic activity in the brain and body, which helps calm us down (we go into “rest and digest mode). Prolactin is one of the main chemicals that is released when we cry. Although prolactin is released when breastfeeding, it is also released in both males and females in response to negative and positive stress, and may help us manage our stress response. Other chemicals related to crying are oxytocin, vasopressin, and endogenous opioids, all of which can make us feel calm and more in control when released. Crying also appears to activate the central autonomic network in the brain and the anterior central gyrus (ACC). The former helps restore balance in the brain and body, while the ACC is involved in cognitive fluency. This implies that the experience that led to the tears–good or bad—disturbed the balance or homeostasis in the neural networks, and affected the person’s ability to think. Consequently, crying is the mind and body’s way of restoring a degree of balance to the brain and unblocking thinking, a bit like “letting off steam” can relieve pressure in a machine. When it comes to crying, there is no right and wrong way to cry, nor is there a “right” amount to cry. Just as everyone is different, our need to cry will be different, based on our own uniqueness as individuals and the particular situation we find ourselves in. The important point is NOT to suppress our feelings or feel shame for crying. It’s a perfectly normal, human response to both happy and adverse circumstances, and is a part of what it means to be human. Crying is a messenger. It’s telling us something about ourselves and what we are going through. Consequently, any changes in a person’s unique pattern of responding or crying is worth paying attention to. For example, if you or someone close to you normally only cries now and then, but are suddenly crying a lot more, this may be a sign worth paying attention to. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Leaf click here.

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Blueprint of Oxytocin Receptor Facilitates Development of New Autism Drugs

AHA Publisher — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:00:43 +0000

University of Zurich via EurekAlert – The so-called “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone” oxytocin is not only involved in strengthening the mother-child relationship and regulating social bonding. It also plays an important role in different mental health disorders like autism, Asperger’s syndrome, social anxiety or addiction vulnerability. Furthermore, oxytocin starts labor, the birth process, and features in many aspects of sexual reproduction – as well as corresponding disorders. The hormone exerts all these effects by binding to the oxytocin receptor. Substances that target the oxytocin receptor thus have great therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases. New Drugs Are Difficult to Develop Since its discovery nearly 30 years ago, researchers have tried to develop drugs that bind specifically to the oxytocin receptor. However, conducting such experiments proved to be very difficult. Except for the hormone oxytocin itself, hardly any drug targeting the oxytocin receptor has been approved for clinical use. A team led by Andreas Plückthun, professor at the Department of Biochemistry of the University of Zurich (UZH), has now determined the detailed three-dimensional structure of the oxytocin receptor bound to the drug candidate retosiban, which was developed for the suppression of preterm labor. “The elucidation of the oxytocin receptor’s structure was an extremely challenging undertaking, which only succeeded thanks to a combination of directed evolution and protein engineering methods we developed over the last few years,” says Plückthun. “Understanding the exact three-dimensional interaction of retosiban and the oxytocin receptor at the atomic level serves as the blueprint for developing new therapeutics that regulate the receptor’s functioning.” Improved Understanding of Receptor Mechanism The scientists also made an additional discovery. “To allow efficient propagation of oxytocin-induced signaling, the oxytocin receptor has to interact with two additional substances – cholesterol and magnesium,” says PhD candidate Yann Waltenspühl. Determining the exact receptor shape enabled the researchers to identify interaction regions for both of these substances. “The identification of these previously unknown regions fundamentally improves the understanding of the receptor mechanism,” adds the first author of the study. Boosting the Development of New Therapeutics for Other Diseases The new findings might also be directly applicable to the very closely related vasopressin receptors. The hormone vasopressin controls the water content of body fluids and the blood pressure, and its receptors are therefore drug targets for the treatment of many diseases – from kidney disease to heart failure. Just like the oxytocin receptor, the vasopressin receptors have also been implicated in autism spectrum disorders. “Our work could thus boost the development of new drugs for a very broad range of widespread and severe human diseases,” concludes Andreas Plückthun. To read the original article click here.

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