Oxytocin (the Love Hormone): Benefits + How to Increase Levels

How does the love hormone affect emotions?

Why is oxytocin called “the love drug”? It’s responsible for many aspects of social bonding and sexual pleasure and affects emotions.

Oxytocin also has similarities to endorphins (opiate chemicals) because we produce more in order to soothe ourselves in response to sources of pain and stress.

How does oxytocin make you feel? Here’s a basic overview of the emotional effects of oxytocin:

• Research has told us that oxytocin’s effects are basically the opposite of those linked to our “fight or flight” response. Higher levels are linked to feeling calmer and having a better capacity to deal with stress.
• Newer research has suggested that increased oxytocin can potentially also increase feelings of generosity, forgiveness, trustworthiness, joy and security.
• It seems to help increase fidelity and monogamy in relationships by keeping us honest and facilitating compassion/empathy toward others. Plus it increases feelings of protectiveness.

What are the benefits and uses of oxytocin?

1. Helps with social bonding and building relationships

Can oxytocin make you fall in love? The release of oxytocin is associated with feelings of love and protection, as well as empathy, trust and connectedness.

Studies have shown that oxytocin enforces pro-social behaviors, attachment, bonding and even fidelity by rewarding those who maintain good relationships with positive, calm feelings of well-being.

One study demonstrated that people in the early stages of romantic attachment, within the first six months of a new relationship, had higher circulating levels of oxytocin. It’s also known that oxytocin levels are high during sexual activity and after orgasms.

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Many forms of social contact seem to result in bursts of oxytocin, even if it’s anticipated social contact, such as planning for a date, party or get-together.

The hormone also works on a “positive feedback loop.” It makes us want to socialize, which further increases our oxytocin production, which then makes us feel good so we continue to seek out relationships with others.

2. Boosts ability to cope with stress

While it also works under times of low stress, oxytocin has been shown to be elevated under times of high stress, too.

Some studies have found that people who report having poor social relationships usually have higher circulating levels of both oxytocin and the stress hormone cortisol than those reporting better relationships.

Externally administering the hormone via supplements has been shown to help mitigate stress reactions, acting as a type of natural buffer. It can make people who are stressed seek out support through better social connections.

It may also help protect the nervous system from shutting down in the face of stressful circumstances, including childbirth.

By increasing someone’s motivation to find help from others, the hormone can help people find opportunities and engage in behaviors that lead to more security, joy and love.

3. May help induce labor

What does oxytocin do in women to facilitate reproduction? Not only does it help women bond with their sexual partners or potentially the future fathers of their children, but oxytocin also strengthens labor contractions during childbirth, along with helping control bleeding after childbirth.

It facilitates production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that move labor along by increasing contractions.

In prescription/synthetic form, it can be used to induce labor or speed up the process. The most widely used form is the brand-name drug Pitocin, which is commonly given to women in the hospital during labor.

4. Supports breastfeeding and child rearing

According to a 2018 study focused on human evolution, some of oxytocin’s main functions are to support breastfeeding and nurturing maternal behaviors among both mothers and fathers.

Research has linked the hormone to a mother’s ability to care for her infant in multiple ways, one of which is through breastfeeding. When a baby nurses from his/her mother’s breast, nerves in the nipple send a signal to the pituitary gland to produce oxytocin, which then causes tiny muscles around the nipple to squeeze and release milk.

Experts also believe that oxytocin helps new mothers and fathers feel calm even during difficult life transitions, one of which is having and caring for a new baby. Levels have been shown to rise in parents due to affectionate touch and contact with their babies and children.

5. May have anti-aging and anti-obesity effects

In one study, it was shown that higher oxytocin release is linked with protection against accelerated signs of aging and better regeneration of aged tissue stem cells, including muscle cells.

Oxytocin injections may be used in the future to help injuries heal better, improve bone health and possibly prevent obesity.

For example, some animal studies have found that oxytocin administration leads to sustained weight reduction by reducing food intake, which is believed to happen because it dampens the brain’s food-related reward circuitry.

As for humans, a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial administered intranasal oxytocin (24 international units four times daily for eight weeks) to older adults with sarcopenic obesity. While body mass index didn’t change significantly, participants treated with oxytocin showed a trend toward reduced fat mass and significant improvements in body composition (increased lean mass) compared with placebo, suggesting beneficial effects on body composition relevant to obesity.

Additionally, it seems to reduce muscle and joint pain due to pain-dulling and anti-inflammatory effects. Higher circulating levels are also thought to be positively associated with lean mass and bone mineral density.

6. May help with social disorders

Oxytocin has been investigated for its potential therapeutic effects on various psychiatric conditions characterized by social deficits and anxiety, including social phobia, autism spectrum disorders and postpartum depression.

Research has suggested that oxytocin may modulate social behaviors and reduce anxiety, making it a promising candidate for treating social phobia. A review of clinical trials indicated that oxytocin administration could have beneficial effects across several conditions, including social anxiety.

Oxytocin’s role in enhancing social cognition has led to studies exploring its application in autism as well. A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that oxytocin administration showed a significant combined effect in improving social behaviors in individuals with autism.

The involvement of oxytocin in mood regulation and maternal behaviors has prompted investigations into its potential therapeutic effects on postpartum depression. Oxytocin is considered a promising neuromodulator for psychotherapeutic interventions in various psychiatric illnesses, including postpartum depression.

While these findings are encouraging, it’s important to note that research is ongoing, and the therapeutic use of oxytocin for these conditions is still under investigation. Further studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety profiles in these contexts.

How do you increase oxytocin levels?

Both higher- and lower-than-normal levels of oxytocin can cause health problems and changes in behavior among women and men, according to endocrinologists. Here are some examples of how:

• High levels among men may contribute to enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and urinary problems.
• Low levels (what some might call “oxytocin deficiency”) among women can interfere with child labor and breastfeeding.
• Low levels among both sexes have been linked to depression and anxiety, although it still isn’t totally clear how administering oxytocin supplements can help treat these and other mental health conditions.
• It’s also believed that low levels may be tied to autism and autistic spectrum disorders.

Wondering, “How can I increase my oxytocin levels?” Is there a supplement for oxytocin or foods that can naturally boost production?

Here are ways that you can naturally boost your production in order to promote feelings of well-being and connectedness:

• Physical contact. Hugs, massages, being intimate, shaking hands and breastfeeding all cause the release of oxytocin. Physical contact can increase levels whether it’s between lovers, friends, or children and their parents.
• Essential oils. Research has shown that certain essential oils, including clary sage oil, may help balance hormones and encourage production of “the love hormone.”
• Making eye contact
• Laughing
• Giving and receiving gifts (including money)
• Altruistic behaviors, such as cooking for others and sharing meals together
• Petting a dog, cat or other pet
• Doing “loving kindness” meditations or visualization
• Telling someone you love him or her
• Listening to calming music
• Speaking to someone you trust on the phone
• Walking or exercising with someone
• Looking at photos or videos of people you care about, including via social media

Supplements, sprays and dosage

What happens if you take oxytocin in supplement or spray form? Although more research is still needed to confirm how oxytocin supplements and sprays affect our behaviors and moods, researchers think there’s a possibility that administering this hormone may help people dealing with social and emotional problems.

Conditions that oxytocin may be able to help include:

• autism or Asperger’s disorder
• social anxiety
• schizophrenia
• depression

Some early experiments have suggested that oxytocin nasal sprays or injections may help people with these conditions better identify emotional content and facilitate social information processing.

The synthetic version of oxytocin given intravenously (Pitocin) is also used to induce labor.

Can oxytocin be taken orally?

At this time there isn’t an oral supplement of this hormone readily available. Because it’s destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract, it’s given by injection or nasal spray instead.

However, research is underway on oral oxytocin administration. For instance, a 2024 review discussed efforts to deliver oxytocin via the oral cavity (oromucosal route) rather than the more common intranasal route, with the goal of improving ease of use and tolerance, especially in children and older adults.

Researchers explored how oxytocin can enter the bloodstream when absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth and compared plasma concentrations and bioavailability between intranasal, lingual spray and medicated lollipop (“oxipop”) forms. Overall, while the oromucosal route showed lower systemic bioavailability than intranasal, it still raised oxytocin levels meaningfully and may offer a practical alternative delivery method.

Another randomized, controlled trial published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology examined how orally administered oxytocin affects attention to social cues in healthy adults, using a validated eye-tracking antisaccade task. Oral administration increased errors in top-down attention control for both social and nonsocial stimuli and slowed responses specifically for social faces, paralleling effects previously seen with intranasal delivery. It also reduced state anxiety following the task.

The findings suggest that oral oxytocin modulates social attention and anxiety in ways similar to intranasal oxytocin, supporting its potential utility for therapeutic applications that target social cognitive processing.

Dosage of oxytocin depends on why it’s being given and someone’s response; therefore it must be individualized. When it’s given to induce labor, IV infusion is used along with frequent monitoring.

Infusion doses starting at 0.5 to 1 milliunits/minute, in some cases increasing up to 6 milliunits/minute, are typically given to women during labor.

Does food have oxytocin?

This hormone is not found in foods, but it does play a role in regulating appetite. Eating aphrodisiac foods (such as chocolate, coffee, fish, avocado and some herbs) may also improve your mood and desire for connection, leading to higher release.

Risks and side effects

Are there any oxytocin supplement side effects to be aware of?

Overall it isn’t entirely known how effective these supplements may be when used long term. Researchers are still working to determine how this hormone impacts people differently depending on factors like genetics and underlying psychiatric disorders.

There’s some evidence that administering supplements to increase oxytocin levels may wind up having side effects like increased prejudice, envy and dishonesty among some users, although it seems to depend on the individual.

Pitocin can also lead to side effects, including increased pain, digestive issues like nausea or vomiting, and others.

Frequently asked questions

What is the function of oxytocin?

It is a hormone and neurotransmitter best known for its role in social bonding, childbirth and breastfeeding. Produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, it helps stimulate uterine contractions during labor and triggers the “let-down” reflex that allows breast milk to flow.

Beyond reproduction, the function of oxytocin includes regulating social attachment, trust, empathy and pair bonding. It plays a key role in romantic connection, parental bonding and even friendships.

Research also shows that it influences stress regulation, heart health, inflammation and appetite control, demonstrating that its effects go far beyond childbirth. Because oxytocin acts in both the bloodstream and the brain, it affects physical processes as well as emotions and behavior.

How are oxytocin levels controlled?

Oxytocin levels are primarily regulated by the hypothalamus, which produces oxytocin and stores it in the posterior pituitary gland for release into the bloodstream. The secretion of oxytocin is controlled by positive feedback mechanisms, meaning that its release stimulates further production in response to specific stimuli (e.g., childbirth, breastfeeding, social bonding). Various factors, including stress, hormonal changes and social interactions, influence levels.

What happens when oxytocin levels are low?

Low levels can lead to:

• Reduced social bonding and trust (may contribute to social anxiety and autism spectrum disorders)
• Increased stress and anxiety
• Postpartum depression risk
• Difficulty with emotional connections
• Challenges in breastfeeding (since it helps with milk letdown)
• Decreased sexual satisfaction

What happens when oxytocin levels are high?

Elevated levels are generally associated with positive social behaviors and emotional well-being, but excessive oxytocin can have drawbacks, such as:

• Increased emotional sensitivity (overattachment, jealousy or favoritism)
• Potential for group bias (stronger in-group connections but more negative views toward outsiders)
• Lower pain perception (which can sometimes lead to risk-taking behavior)
• In rare cases, uterine contractions and complications during pregnancy

Why is oxytocin called the love drug?

It is often referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone” because of its role in:

• Bonding and attachment (strengthens relationships between partners, parents and children, and social groups)
• Romantic and sexual connections (released during intimacy and orgasm)
• Trust and emotional connection (increases feelings of empathy and security)
• Physical touch and affection (hugs, kisses and cuddling trigger oxytocin release)

What triggers oxytocin release?

Oxytocin release is stimulated by:

• Physical touch (hugs, cuddling, massages and sex)
• Social bonding (spending time with loved ones, emotional support)
• Childbirth and breastfeeding (promotes labor contractions and milk ejection)
• Eye contact and verbal affection (expressing love and care)
• Acts of kindness and trust (helping others, social cooperation)
• Music and meditation (singing, dancing or deep relaxation)

How can oxytocin affect mental health?

It can significantly affect mental health by influencing mood, stress response and social behavior. It interacts with the brain’s reward and fear centers, including the amygdala, and may help reduce anxiety and dampen the body’s stress hormone (cortisol) response in certain contexts.

Healthy oxytocin signaling has been associated with improved social connection, emotional bonding and feelings of safety, all of which are protective for mental well-being. Human studies suggest this hormone may have therapeutic potential for conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders and certain social difficulties.

However, its effects are complex. In some situations, it can intensify emotional memories or social sensitivity. Overall, balanced oxytocin activity supports emotional resilience, attachment and stress regulation.

What does oxytocin do to you?

Oxytocin affects both your body and your brain. Physically, it helps control labor contractions, milk release during breastfeeding, sexual arousal and aspects of appetite regulation. It also interacts with the cardiovascular and immune systems and may help modulate inflammation.

Emotionally and psychologically, it promotes feelings of closeness, trust, affection and bonding. It can enhance connection during physical touch, hugging, eye contact and intimate experiences.

Many people refer to oxytocin as the “love hormone,” but it’s more accurately described as a bonding hormone that strengthens social memories and emotional experiences. Its effects depend heavily on context and individual differences.

When do guys release oxytocin?

Men release oxytocin during physical touch, sexual activity, orgasm, affectionate interactions and meaningful social connection. Levels can also rise during fatherhood, especially through skin-to-skin contact, caregiving and emotional bonding with a child.

While this hormone is often discussed in the context of women, it plays an equally important role in male bonding and attachment. In men, it is involved in pair bonding, relationship attachment and emotional closeness. It can also increase during positive social interactions, teamwork and trust-building experiences.

What does oxytocin do to girls?

In females, oxytocin plays a central role in reproductive health, including regulating uterine contractions during labor and stimulating breast milk release during breastfeeding. It also supports maternal bonding and attachment to a newborn.

Outside of reproduction, it influences emotional connection, trust, empathy and romantic bonding. Like in men, oxytocin in women rises during physical affection, orgasm, meaningful social interaction and caregiving behaviors.

Some research suggests women may experience stronger oxytocin fluctuations across the menstrual cycle and postpartum period, which can influence mood, bonding and stress sensitivity. Ultimately, this hormone supports both physical reproductive functions and emotional connection throughout a woman’s life.

Conclusion

• Oxytocin is a hormone that acts as a chemical messenger in the brain and other organs.
• Why is oxytocin called the love hormone? It plays an important role in bonding, generosity, trust, loyalty and sexual arousal.
• Not only do women produce this hormone to facilitate bonding, birth and breastfeeding, but it is produced by men too. It helps with sperm quality and reproduction in both sexes.
• How does it make you feel? It has calming properties and builds resilience against stress. It can also help support fidelity and monogamy, empathy, and connection with an infant.
• Oxytocin supplements are still being researched for their potential benefits in helping people with depression, anxiety, autism disorders and other mental health concerns.
• Here’s how to increase oxytocin naturally: Make physical contact with others, share and receive gifts, get a massage, have meaningful conversations, be intimate, and basically do anything enjoyable that involves socializing, sharing and touch.