Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter and a hormone that plays a role in delivery and breastfeeding. Empathy, trust, sexual activity, and relationship-building are all linked to it.
It is a hormone that controls basic concepts of the reproductive system, including childbirth and breastfeeding, as well as aspects of human behaviour, via acting on organs in the body (including the breast and uterus) and as a chemical messenger in the brain.
Oxytocin effects
To enhance reproductive processes, oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and released during sex, delivery, and nursing.
It has physical and psychological impacts, impacting social behaviour and emotion, among other things.
Oxytocin is a medication that can aid in childbirth and is prescribed for obstetric and gynaecological purposes.
Why do we call oxytocin is the love hormone
When oxytocin enters the bloodstream, it influences the uterus and lactation, but when it is released into certain sections of the brain, it can affect emotional, cognitive, and social activities.
Oxytocin is the brain also appears to lessen anxiety and stress responses. In a variety of animals, these effects have been observed.
It has been discovered that sexual engagement stimulates the release of oxytocin, which appears to have a role in erection and orgasm. The cause for this is unknown, but enhanced uterine motility may help sperm reach their goal in women. Some researchers believe there is a link between oxytocin levels and orgasm intensity.
How to increase oxytocin level
Low levels of oxytocin have been associated with depression symptoms, especially postpartum depression. Researchers have been looking into whether administering oxytocin in the form of a pill or a nasal spray could assist with anxiety and depression, but the results so far have been negative. This is partly because this hormone has a difficult time crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Exercise is a more promising way to naturally boost oxytocin levels. After high-intensity martial arts training, oxytocin levels in participants’ saliva increased, according to one study. Music also appears to raise oxytocin levels, particularly when individuals sing in a group, which adds a bonding factor.
Oxytocin plays an important role in motherhood
In maternity, oxytocin serves a variety of functions.
Labor
The hormone causes the uterus to contract, which starts the labour process. It aids in the progression of the process by raising the synthesis of hormones that are associated with it. It aids the uterus in returning to its original size following delivery.
Breastfeeding
The hormone oxytocin is released when a baby latches on to its mother’s breast. This tells the body that it’s time to start releasing milk for the baby.
Bonding
According to human and animal studies on the effects of oxytocin on the mother-child bond, mothers with greater levels of the hormone are more likely to participate in affectionate parenting activities such as:
- Affectionate contact on the baby regularly
- grooming and bathing habits singing or chatting to the infant in a specific way
- According to some research, kids that receive this sort of parenting have a higher level of oxytocin, which causes them to seek out more contact with their mother, thereby strengthening their bond.
Biological mothers aren’t the only ones who experience these impacts. In foster mothers and adoptive parents, oxytocin has a similar effect.
