Facts about ocytocin

“The love hormone,” Oxytocin is a peptide hormone that plays a role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, childbirth, and lactation. This unique chemical is especially known for creating that special feeling of falling in love.

Produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary, oxytocin controls uterine contractions during labor and helps with milk stimulation during breastfeeding.

Yet, this neuropeptide is involved in much more than just reproduction. It can improve mood, lower blood pressure, and inhibit stress hormones. Oxytocin naturally enhances optimism, a sense of trust, and self-esteem. Present in both males and females, this special chemical serves many different functions.

So, here are 20 curious facts about oxytocin that you’ll love:

1. Oxytocin is released during many different kinds of social interactions. Whether you are hugging a friend, petting your dog, or touching your romantic partner, this hormone gets released, bringing about a sense of love and appreciation. Most importantly, oxytocin enhances the bonding experience between two people.

2. Oxytocin has long-lasting effects. While it only lasts in the body for approximately 3 minutes, the effects of oxytocin can last up to 3 hours.

3. Oxytocin is very beneficial for the digestive tract. Oxytocin cools down gastrointestinal inflammation, alleviates abdominal discomfort, and greatly reduces the risk of food sensitivities, autoimmune diseases, and systemic infections.

4. Oxytocin helps alleviate social fears. Oxytocin not only blocks the brains fear center, it also enhances the feelings of optimism while increasing one’s self-esteem. Oxytocin builds a genuine sense of trust as well.

5. Oxytocin may help people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Those with PTSD are in a constant state of anxiety, and it has been found that oxytocin may help reduce the anxiety in those suffering with the disorder.

6. Oxytocin helps promote wound healing and pain relief. Oxytocin aids in regrowth of blood vessels after an injury to promote faster healing, and it also helps relieve pain. So, if you have a headache, go hug a friend, your spouse, or your dog to feel better.

7. Oxytocin may promote weight loss. This hormone may help fight excess fat. According to Science Daily:

“Scientists believe that the hormone might be responsible for a series of beneficial metabolic effects, both in mice and humans. Moreover, by giving oxytocin-deficient obese mice oxytocin infusions, their weight returned back to normal levels. The mice also showed a reduced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.”

This clearly suggests an alternative option for those struggling to lose weight.

8. Oxytocin works as an anti-depressant. This hormone shows real potential in treating people who are suffering from clinical depression and anxiety disorders.

9. Oxytocin is a great stress-reducer. This hormone not only helps reduce social anxiety and increases trust, but it also helps to lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and blood pressure levels.

10. Oxytocin has been linked to autism. In certain cases of autism, the receptor site for oxytocin is genetically not available. When the hormone has no place to go, it cannot function properly. Production of oxytocin can also be drastically low in those with autism. Therefore, many of those with autism do not reap the benefits of this hormone.

11. Oxytocin makes people more giving. Higher oxytocin levels have been linked to increased generosity. In fact, several sources of research have connected oxytocin to feelings of empathy. According to GIZMODO:

“In one study that required persons to share money with a stranger, infusions of oxytocin were shown to make some subjects as much as 80% (wow!) more generous than those on a placebo.”

12. Oxytocin is released during orgasms in both males and females. During an orgasm, the brain is flooded with oxytocin, which helps bond a couple together.

13. A woman’s oxytocin levels surge during childbirth. A surge of oxytocin is released during childbirth and the baby’s oxytocin levels are high during delivery as well.

14. Oxytocin increases a person’s pain threshold. Therefore, an epidural may not even be necessary during childbirth.

15. Oxytocin peaks immediately after a baby is born, but right before the placenta is delivered. That’s why this is the ideal time to leave the mother and child alone together to bond.

16. Oxytocin is released during skin-to-skin contact. Whether it’s a mother nursing her baby, a father is massaging his infant, or a couple holding hands, bodily contact causes the brain to release low levels of oxytocin in both people. This builds trust.

17. Oxytocin helps provide good nutritional intake of a breastfeeding infant. Oxytocin not only aids in the body’s utilization of nutrients through the digestive process, it also helps transfer the nutrients into the breast milk.

18. The healthy benefits of oxytocin can last a long time for both mother and child. All the positive benefits of oxytocin can last long past weaning a child from breastfeeding.

19. A stressful environment can hinder oxytocin release. A supportive environment is crucial to promoting healthy oxytocin levels.

In fact, trauma during childhood can affect oxytocin levels for years, decades, and even for a lifetime. As BioEcology.Com explains:

“This kind of trauma can range from severe abuse during childhood to a divorce between parents. When trauma during childhood occurs, the body and mind engage an adaptive defense mechanism that reduces levels of oxytocin. This type of programming is a survival mechanism. It can affect relationships and even physical health.”

20. Oxytocin reduces drug cravings. According to an article in Progress in Brain Research, some studies indicate that oxytocin inhibits tolerance to addictive drugs, including opiates, cocaine, and alcohol, and also reduces withdrawal symptoms.