Does Oxytocin Affect Your Mental Health?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Oxytocin?HistoryOxytocin and LoveOxytocin and Mental Health Conditions

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

What Is Oxytocin?

History

Oxytocin and Love

Oxytocin and Mental Health Conditions

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Oxytocin is a hormone that has garnered much attention recently for its role in mental health and bonding behaviors. Popular media has dubbed oxytocin the “love hormone.”There has also been a growing interest in its use as a treatment for various mental health conditions, including autism, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

This article explores oxytocin’s potential effects and uses in treating mental disorders. It also discusses its history and how this hormone can affect bonding behaviors.

The hormone also plays an important role in human bonding, including the bonding that occurs in maternal and romantic relationships.

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The initial discovery of oxytocin occurred in 1909. The hormone was believed to primarily play a vital role in childbirth and post-partum bonding. Oxytocin influences labor contractions during birth, plays a part in milk let-down during breastfeeding and helps the mother and infant bond.

Animal studies conducted during the 1990s led to a greater understanding of how the hormone acted in the brain. It also revealed oxytocin’s role in other functions such as anxiety, social relationships, trust, and bonding in romantic relationships.

Such findings have increased the interest in the relationship between oxytocin and mental health. Since that time, there has been a dramatic increase in research on the effects of oxytocin in humans and animals.

Studies suggest that oxytocin levels are higher during the early stages of a new romantic relationship.It is released in response to physical contact, including sex, and higher oxytocin levels have been linked to more intense orgasms.

Research has also found that the release of oxytocin can help increase relationship-enhancing behaviors and emotions, including:

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Because oxytocin is connected to increased social bonding and trust, researchers have explored how it might be utilized to treat different mental disorders, including autism, addiction, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and PTSD.

Stress and Anxiety

One research review found that oxytocin could also positively impact feelings of anxiety andstress.When released in certain brain areas, the hormone can contribute to decreased anxiety and stress. It is also linked to increased relaxation and psychological stability.

Anorexia Nervosa

Evidence suggests that people who have anorexia have lower oxytocin levels compared to people who don’t have an eating disorder. Not only are their hormone levels lower, but they also have malfunctioning oxytocin receptors, which impair the hormone’s actions in their body.

Studies have found that the intranasal administration of oxytocin can potentially change unconscious tendencies, behaviors, and emotions related to food, body image, and negative emotions.

Autism

In one study, children with autism received either an intranasal oxytocin spray or a placebo twice daily for four weeks. The results indicated that the children treated with the oxytocin spray experienced significant improvements in their social interactions.

Alcohol Use

Animal studies suggest that oxytocin can help mitigate some negativeeffects alcohol has on the brain. This can help reduce the motivation to consume alcohol, minimize physical withdrawal effects, and reduce drug-seeking behaviors.

RecapIn addition to its impact on childbirth and bonding, oxytocin may have a beneficial effect on symptoms of different mental disorders. More research is needed, but evidence suggests it may positively impact stress regulation, eating disorders, autism, and alcohol misuse.

Recap

In addition to its impact on childbirth and bonding, oxytocin may have a beneficial effect on symptoms of different mental disorders. More research is needed, but evidence suggests it may positively impact stress regulation, eating disorders, autism, and alcohol misuse.

A Word From Verywell

Because of oxytocin’s ability to impact the brain, it has potential as a treatment for a range of conditions, including those that affect social communication, bonding, empathy, and trust.

However, it is important to note that while it is promising, it is no panacea. Further research is needed to better understand how it may affect mental health.

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13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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