Oxytocin and its Role in Our Health

Oxytocin is a versatile hormone that has many roles. At first glance it may seem that these are unrelated. Not true. Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin is actually designed for something more specific.

Oxytocin is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland; both structures are deep within the brain. The main function of oxytocin is to facilitate childbirth by stimulating contractions of the uterus. It is often administered to women during labor to speed up the process. After the baby is born, oxytocin helps mom express breast milk.

Oxytocin does have other properties. For one, it is produced when we are stimulated by a sexual partner. Maybe it actually helps us fall in love! In addition, it reduces stress levels and anxiety. It helps us relax.

It seems to help us trust one another.

Besides interacting with a lover, how can we increase the level of oxytocin in our body? 

One way is through exercise, which boosts our intrinsic opioid endorphins as well as oxytocin. 

Exercise has many benefits regarding our healthy longevity, self-esteem, and sense of wellness. 

It even increases our fitness for parenting in more ways than one.

Listening to music, humming, and singing , especially with others, also bumps up our oxytocin level. 

So does touching, massaging, and hugging others. Perhaps best results are chieved by doing several of these activities at once!

Oxytocin is truly one of the “feel good” hormones. Three of the others are dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, each of which will be addressed in upcoming articles.

Note: Although I am a physician, the content in this article is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent illness or disease in the reader – it is for educational purposes only.

References

• Mah BL. Oxytocin, Postnatal Depression, and Parenting: A Systematic Review. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2016 Jan-Feb;24(1):1-13.
• Kerem L, Lawson EA. Oxytocin, eating behavior, and metabolism in humans. Handb Clin Neurol. 2021;180:89-103.
• Barchi-Ferreira AM, Osório FL. Associations between oxytocin and empathy in humans: A systematic literature review. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2021 07;129:105268.