Oxytocin is a peptide hormone produced by the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland. Oxytocin plays an important role in the human body, especially in women during pregnancy and lactation.
During pregnancy, specifically during labor, oxytocin is responsible for the contractions of the womb. Hence oxytocin is often used to aid woman with labor. Following childbirth, when the mother starts breastfeeding, oxytocin is released to stimulate lactation allowing milk to be released. Once the mother stops breastfeeding, oxytocin production also stops, this is known as the positive feedback mechanism, meaning that oxytocin is released only when there is a trigger. The release of oxytocin also deepens the bond between mother and child.
Oxytocin is often known as the “love” hormone because it is released when one engages in any sort of physical or sexual contact. The release of oxytocin during sexual intercourse allows the couple to relax, and have a stronger bond.
Unfortunately, sometimes couples are not able to release enough oxytocin, thus not allowing them to fully be engaged in the intimacy comfortably and experience satiety. Nasal Oxytocin is used to augment oxytocin levels increases the intensity of orgasm, and contentment after sexual intercourse. Men additionally indicated higher levels of sexual satiety after sexual intercourse with the use of oxytocin. Women felt more relaxed and while others had better abilities to share sexual desires & empathize.
Currently, new research and clinical evidence has revealed the ever-expanding possibilities for oxytocin. Oxytocin can help enhance positive feelings and social skills while also allegedly alleviating serious cognitive, psychiatric and behavioral conditions. Oxytocin controls some human behaviors and social interactions
Other Benefits of Oxytocin
Well-being Oxytocin induces a general sense of well-being including calmness, improved social interactions, increased trust, and reduced fear as well as endocrine and physiological changes. Long-term benefits also include blood pressure reduction.
Emotional/Social Bonding Having a strong bond with your partner, family, and/or peers is important. Lacking such bond effects overall well-being. A study showed that at the end of the 2-week trial, both treatment groups (oxytocin, placebo) reported to experience an increase in social responsiveness and quality of life and ability to bond with peers. The two week oxytocin treatment also resulted in reductions in attachment avoidance and increases in reports of attachment toward peers.
Cognitive, Psychiatric and Behavioral Conditions Oxytocin has a positive influences on socialization, due to this, oxytocin has been indicated for the management of various cognitive disorders such as autism, social anxiety, and schizophrenia. Further studies have established that oxytocin can help children with autism. A five-week treatment with intranasal oxytocin among young children with autism showed improvement in social, emotional and behavioral issues. Other studies have shown improvement in depression, PTSD, anxiety, as well as appetite control and weight loss.