Oxytocin: The love hormone

Oxytocin can help us bond with loved ones and can be released through touch, music,
and exercise.
June 13, 2023
Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
A beautiful young African American mother in a hospital gown gently holds her
infant in her arms and smiles down at her. The baby's eyes are closed.
What is oxytocin?
Oxytocin is a hormone that's produced in the hypothalamus and released into the
bloodstream by the pituitary gland. Its main function is to facilitate childbirth,
which is one of the reasons it is called the "love drug" or "love hormone."
Oxytocin, like endorphins or serotonin, is a type of hormone in your body that
promotes positive feelings.

What does oxytocin do?

Oxytocin both stimulates the muscles of the uterus to contract, and boosts the
production of prostaglandins, which also increase uterine contractions. Women whose
labor is slow to proceed are sometimes given oxytocin to speed the process. Once
the baby is born, oxytocin helps to move milk from the ducts in the breast to the
nipple, and to foster a bond between mom and baby.

Our bodies also produce oxytocin when we're excited by our sexual partner, and when
we fall in love. That's why it has earned the nicknames "love hormone" and "cuddle
hormone."

How can oxytocin affect mental health?

Oxytocin has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety levels. Research suggests
that oxytocin can have a positive impact on social behaviors related to

relaxation
trust
overall psychological stability.
How are oxytocin levels controlled?
Oxytocin production and secretion is controlled via a positive feedback loop. This
means the hormone causes an action that stimulates more of its own release.

For example, when a newborn suckles mechanoreceptors in the nipple and the cervix
are activated, creating a positive sensory feedback loop, which leads to the
additional release of oxytocin in the brain.

The increased oxytocin production and secretion into the blood causes milk to be
let down into the breast.

How to increase oxytocin

Low oxytocin levels have been linked to symptoms of depression, including
postpartum depression. Researchers have been studying whether giving oxytocin in a
pill or nasal spray might help to ease anxiety and depression, but so far the
results have been disappointing. In part, that's because it's hard for this hormone
to slip across the blood-brain barrier.

A more promising way to boost oxytocin naturally is with exercise. One study noted
a jump in oxytocin levels measured in participants' saliva after high-intensity
martial arts training. Music also seems to have the ability to increase oxytocin
levels, especially when people sing in a group, which adds the element of bonding.

Just the simple act of touch seems boost oxytocin release. Giving someone a
massage, cuddling, making love, or giving someone a hug leads to higher levels of
this hormone and a greater sense of well-being.
Oxytocin is just one of the four feel-good hormones. To learn more about the others
and how they work, head to the beginning of this series.

Image: FatCamera/Getty Images

About the Reviewer

photo of Howard E. LeWine, MD
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Howard LeWine is a practicing internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in

Boston, Chief Medical Editor at Harvard Health Publishing, and editor in chief of
Harvard Men’s Health Watch. See Full Bio
View all posts by Howard E. LeWine, MD
SHARE THIS PAGE
SHARE THIS PAGE TO FACEBOOK
SHARE THIS PAGE TO TWITTER
SHARE THIS PAGE VIA EMAIL
PRINT THIS PAGE
Click to Print
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our
library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all
articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute

for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.