The Love Hormone Oxytocin

Science is supporting the age-old belief that love heals through its research into the love hormone oxytocin. Often associated with labor, breastfeeding and maternal bonding, it appears that the role of oxytocin extends beyond the realm of motherhood.



Oxytocin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland during labor, delivery and breastfeeding. During intercourse both men and women release it.

But you don't have to be giving birth or in an intimate relationship to enjoy the benefits of the love hormone oxytocin. You release this 'cuddle hormone' when you give someone a hug, cuddle your pet, do a good deed, or share a meal.

It appears that the benefits of having deep connections with others are at least in part due to increased levels of oxytocin.

Research shows that people who have a good marriage or a close friend cuts the risk of death by one-third.

Deep connections reduce stress, create more happiness and keep you healthier. Research studies confirm that love heals us and isolation hurts us.

Shortly before her death Mother Theresa said that loneliness and isolation in the West was the most significant "disease" she had encountered during her lifetime. It turns out, she just may be right.

Health Benefits of Oxytocin

Likewise, wounds on hamsters living with a companion healed twice as fast as those who were isolated. They also produced less of the stress hormone, cortisol

This cuddle hormone helps you handle stress better and lowers your blood pressure response when facing situations that make you feel anxious. This may explain why it helps to reduce the cravings of drug and alcohol addiction, as well as for sweets.

It helps build trust between mates, evokes feelings of contentment, reduces anxiety and fear and encourages social bonding. It increases empathy for others.

Certain parts of the heart have receptors that receive oxytocin when it's released by the pituitary gland. This provides your heart and circulatory system with several benefits.

This is especially important to note if you want to avoid problems associated with stress and heart disease.

Oxytocin lowers your blood pressure response when you feel anxious. This helps you have more elastic blood vessels. Hearts respond better to higher demands. It helps damaged hearts heal by reducing inflammation and cell death.

The more love hormone your pituitary releases, the more benefits it provides.

How to Enjoy the Benefits of Oxytocin

Warm, loving, intimate relationships, nurturing touch anywhere on your body, positive interactions and giving and receiving support with other humans and animals increases oxytocin levels.

Helping others promotes the release of the love hormone oxytocin and opiate-like reward hormones known as endorphins. Our brains release endorphins as a reward for doing something that benefits the survival of our species.

Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

* Share loving touches - give or receive a massage, hold hands, kiss and hug, give little touches, pet your dog.

* Nurture others- share a meal, offer a listening ear, show compassion, donate time to a cause you are passionate about.

* Don't be tempted to take synthetic oxytocin preparations. Synthetic hormones are not good for your health. Hamsters given oxycotin actually had slower healing times.

The healing power of love extends well beyond the role of this hormone. Exploring the role of the cuddle hormone in wellness is just one example of why love heals.