Oxytocin is a hormone in the body, and it functions as a neurotransmitter. It comes from the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Hypothalamus causes a lot of operations in the body. It coordinates sleep patterns and manages hunger, thirst, and body temperature. Oxytocin plays a significant role in a series of psychological and physical actions in humans. In this article, you will learn some mind-boggling facts about Oxytocin.
Transmission of the oxytocin is dependent on the activities of neurons in the hypothalamus. Oxytocin is also referred to as; alpha-Hypophamine, Syntocinon, Carbetocin, and Pitocin. Here are the most interesting facts about oxytocin. Also, you will also see how it affects your health and existence.
20 Amazing Facts About Oxytocin
1. Oxytocin Hormones Is Present In All Mammals
Oxytocin hormones are present in all mammals including rats, dogs, lions, and humans. It is liable for a lot of psychological, behavioral, and physiological actions. The contraction of the uterus during childbirth in mammals is not possible without hormones.
It also stimulates milk during lactation, for mammals to feed their young. Oxytocin is also responsible for building a stable relationship between mothers and babies. It’s one of the reasons why mammals are the most advanced of all animals.
2. Oxytocin Is The Hormone Responsible For Love
Oxytocin hormone is commonly referred to as the “The Love Hormone” or “Cuddle Hormone.” Oxytocin hormone is released when there is a bonding, hugging, or snuggling. When two people who are fond of each other hug themselves, there is a release of oxytocin hormone. Relationships can either be better by the release of oxytocin hormone into the body.
Oxytocin hormones can also make you feel suspicious around people. It can also increase the love for a person and intensify the memories of a bad relationship. Engaging in an argument or a fight with a loved one reduces oxytocin levels. So, try to stay as peaceful as much as you can.Â
3. Oxytocin Helps Digestion
In our digestive tracts, there are oxytocin receptors. After eating a meal, you feel sleepy and happy. That is oxytocin working to keep you at ease so your body can absorb more nutrition. Oxytocin hormones play an essential role in digestion. It also prevents gastric dysmotility.Â
Reduced levels can cause inflammatory bowel diseases in children. Other people can experience a recurring stomach upset. When you fight with a person you love, your oxytocin level reduces. That is not a good time to take a meal. Eating immediately after a fight will result in digestive problems. Give someone you love a hug before and after meals.
4. Aids In The Healing Of Wounds
Oxytocin is essential for the healing of wounds. When you suffer an injury, it helps in both the regrowth of blood vessels. It also promotes the healthy growth of blood vessels (known as angiogenesis). Low oxytocin levels make wounds take a long time to heal.
Oxytocin has anti-inflammatory properties that heal wounds faster. An increase in the oxytocin level can reduce pain in the body. If you’re suffering from cramps, body aches, and headaches, you may need a boost of it in your body.Â
5. Oxytocin Has Antidepressant Properties
Low levels of oxytocin can cause depression. This makes oxytocin a significant issue as depression is a dangerous thing. Oxytocin has an antidepressant effect on humans. A shortage of the hormone in the body proves to be a leading cause of several psychiatric disorders. People have suffered from issues like schizophrenia, autism, anxiety, and mood disorders.
Oxytocin plays a role in lots of neuro-psychiatric activities. People with low amounts detach themselves from socialization.Â
Also, increased stress causes psychiatric symptoms as a result of low levels of oxytocin.Â
6. Oxytocin Helps In Dealing With Stress
Oxytocin helps deal with stress by decreasing the release of cortisol and anxiety. Cortisol is a stress hormone that needs to be under control. The release of cortisol in the body slows down the release of oxytocin. It is impossible to have stress and be at ease at the same time.Â
Oxytocin hormones reduce blood pressure to produce anti-stress effects on the body. Psychological support also helps in dealing with stress along with oxytocin release. The increase of oxytocin hormones leads to low heart rate and norepinephrine levels. Exercise can help you increase oxytocin.Â
7. Oxytocin Is Released During Massage
Mammals possess oxytocin receptors in their skin. You can trigger this through massaging and stroking. Massage increases the oxytocin level and reduces stress. When done for a while, it also causes other adverse psychological effects of stress. Oxytocin level increases in both the person receiving the massage and the one giving it.
Although massage increases oxytocin levels, the effects rely on the emotional experience. Men who experience emotional maltreatment tend to have lower oxytocin levels. In such a case, there is little or no increase after a massage session. Foot massage also stimulates the release of oxytocin. Hand administered foot massage causes a rise in plasma oxytocin level and sensation.
8. Oxytocin Is Essential To Mothers
Oxytocin plays a lot of essential roles in necessary activities. When a woman is in childbirth, the hormone helps in making things work well. It causes expansion and contraction of the uterus before and after delivery. The contraction of the uterus is what stimulates labor, and oxytocin saves the day.
Women need to lactate to be able to feed and nurture babies. The hormones send signals to trigger milk secretion from the mother’s breast.
Oxytocin is also responsible for the affection and love between a mother and her child. Children who receive affectionate love, in turn, have an increased release of oxytocin. That is why breastfeeding is crucial for a child’s development. Beyond nutrition, it also promotes positive social behavior.Â
9. Oxytocin Plays A Role During Sex
Both males and females produce oxytocin during sex. It is responsible for erection and orgasm. Oxytocin triggers the release of semen from males. It also helps with the contracting of the vagina and uterus. This helps the sperm move closer to the egg. The level of oxytocin increases during orgasm.Â
Sexual responses of men increase when they get oxytocin treatment. They will get an erection faster and meet a high level of performance due to increased energy. Treating females with oxytocin improves not only their sexuality but also their personality. Higher oxytocin level produces long-lasting and more intense orgasms. Imbibe in behavior that increases oxytocin to promote quality sex between couples.Â
10. The Peak Of Oxytocin Hormones Release In Women Is After Child-Birth
Oxytocin release reaches its peak when a woman goes into normal labor. The release of oxytocin in females increases when her pregnancy ends, and she is ready for childbirth. This is another of the most interesting facts about oxytocin.
During labor, oxytocin helps the woman, and it reaches a peak after childbirth. In the first three months of motherhood, the mother increases hormone production. Â
The release of oxytocin, endorphin, and prolactin hormones in mothers is crucial. It is the affectionate love between the mother and her child. The release of these hormones in the mother stimulates the release of the hormones in her child.
11. It Has A Great Effect On Blood Pressure
A little release of oxytocin hormones raises the blood pressure for a bit of time. It then reduces it until lower than the original rate. A high release of oxytocin helps keep the blood pressure at a low level. After delivery, females experience low blood pressure for a very long time. The effect is due to the intense release of oxytocin.
12. Oxytocin Balances Body Temperature
Oxytocin helps in the redistribution of heat from one part of the body to another. During breastfeeding, the blood vessels around the breast expand due to oxytocin. This effect helps to keep the baby warm while they feed.
It also happens to fathers when they are holding their infants. Also, during sexual activity, human trunks get hot and blush marks cheeks. Such a thing can only happen because of the oxytocin in the body. Oxytocin causes the movement of heat within the body. Places with low temperatures get more heat and vice versa.Â
13. Oxytocin Increases The Level Of Trust
If you don’t have trust for the other, one possible reason is low oxytocin. Oxytocin hormones help a person get rid of fears and social inhibitions. People with mood disorders, insecurities, and social anxieties, have a low supply.Â
Oxytocin also helps people deal with autism. They will be able to rebuild a broken relationship and improve friendship and love. Oxytocin hormones also help deal with post-traumatic stress disorders or PTSD.
14. Oxytocin Helps With Weight Management
People with obesity may find help with increased oxytocin supply. The release of the hormones burns body fats, which prevents accumulation. A dosage of intranasal oxytocin helps reduce the number of calories consumed in men. Many people today are using this method to deal with obesity effectively. A low oxytocin release can result in obesity even with increasing food consumption.Â
15. Oxytocin Helps With Fertility
The production and release of eggs from the ovary depend on oxytocin. In males, sperm production from testicles is not possible without it. Reducing stress helps women get pregnant. To achieve less stress, you need more oxytocin hormone. For pregnancy to occur, the man’s sperm has to swim and meet the woman’s egg. You need the presence of oxytocin to make this practical. So without the presence of the oxytocin hormones, the sperm fertilize. That is why couples who are hoping to get pregnant need to reduce their stress level.Â
16. It Can Be Spread Among Mammals
Interestingly, this is one of the amazing facts many people don’t know about oxytocin. Oxytocin is essential for social order. The feeling of calmness and relaxation felt by a person, or any other mammal is powerful. Mammals can spread such feelings to other individuals around them. The oxytocin released in a calm and relaxed person stimulates the release in others. That’s why people feel relaxed when around a calm and relaxed person.
Doctors and nurses understand this phenomenon due to their training. That’s why they are always calm and relaxed to help patients. Couples who are experiencing conflict can make good use of this. One person has to calm down and get hormones running to put things in control.
17. Oxytocin Aids Learning
It takes a relaxed mind and body to learn anything. The release of oxytocin is responsible for a calm and relaxed mind and body. When this happens, learning is smooth and more fun. It is even easier to learn when there are a calm teacher and peaceful company.
However, many people don’t know these facts about oxytocin. We all know how hard it is to get anything done in chaos and confusion. The release of oxytocin promotes peace and tranquillity in a learning environment. Most people have a hard time learning under stress and pressure.
18. Oxytocin Fosters The Relationship Between Humans And Pets (Mammals)
We know that oxytocin promotes a better relationship between two people. We also know such a thing can extend to pets as well. Pets and their parents do benefit a lot from hormones like oxytocin. The release of oxytocin in a human stimulates the release of oxytocin in their pets. Fondling, nudging, licking, and sniffing increase affection and flow of love.
Dogs that have lots of playtime with their owners become attached to them. Less playtime means less love and affection. So, get out there in the sun with your furry friends and create some natural bonding.Â
19. Oxytocin Helps With Drug Addictions
People that get addicted to drugs have low levels of oxytocin hormones. Oxytocin hinders the body’s tolerance towards addictive substances. People with drug addictions need to have an increased level of oxytocin to battle it.
The hormone also helps to reduce the symptoms associated with withdrawal. Oxytocin battles addiction by creating a feeling of satisfaction. As a result, the longing for these addictive substances is reduced.
20. Oxytocin Triggers Defensive Hormones
Every time we feel endangered, oxytocin hormones trigger our defensive and protective instinct. Aggression towards threat and danger is a result of the oxytocin hormones. The same reason for the aggressiveness in mammals. The instinct to attack when endangered is because of oxytocin from the brain.
The love hormone or cuddle hormone has a lot of roles to play in our lives. It promotes social, psychological, physiological, and behavioral attitudes in mammals.
In Summary
Now, we have seen 20 fascinating facts about oxytocin. Some people prefer to call it the love hormone or the cuddle hormone, while others call it the attachment hormone. How would you like to call it? Also, please share with us which of these facts amazes you more about oxytocin?
