Love hormone — What is it?

Overview

Oxytocin hormone is otherwise called the love hormone. Oxytocin hormone is a neurotransmitter that is produced in the hypothalamus region of your brain. This is further transmitted via the pituitary gland and mixed with your bloodstream. 

Oxytocin love hormone is found in both males and females, however, higher secretion of this hormone is found generally in females. Love hormone in males has comparatively fewer functions than in females.

The brain generally releases oxytocin during childbirth, sexual activity and lactation. It is also released when you are in a romantic relationship. However, the functions of this love hormone are wider than this.

What makes it a love hormone?

If you are in the early months of your relationship, then your joyous mood is probably a result of the secretion of the oxytocin love hormone. Studies revealed that people in the initial stages of their relationships mostly release oxytocin hormones. 

This high level of love hormones in this category of people will be maintained for up to 6 months. It also plays a crucial role in social interactions and sexual activities. 

When this hormone travels to certain areas of your brain, it will trigger various emotions like protection, affection, feelings of love, trust, empathy, etc. 

What are the other roles of the love hormone?

Because of the name ‘love hormone’, it is mostly associated with romantic love. However, this hormone also plays a vital role in the bonding between parents and children. 

It is secreted more when parents embrace their children. It also gives a feeling of protection. Due to this fact, it is also called bonding hormone or cuddle hormone. 

It is interesting to know that this hormone is also released when you have a close bond with your pets like dogs or cats. 

Mostly, the release of this hormone is highly associated with a ‘happy’ mood. Hence it comes under the basket of happy hormones along with dopamine and serotonin. 

What are the effects of the love hormone?

Childbirth and lactation

This hormone plays a crucial role in women during childbirth. Oxytocin is produced in high quantity that accelerates the contraction of the uterus. This helps to push the baby through the birth canal. 

Often, doctors use Pitocin—synthetic oxytocin, to assist the labour. After childbirth, this hormone stimulates milk production by inducing uterine contractions. 

Enhance social skills

Studies show that people with cognitive disorders, for instance, Autism, tend to have lower levels of love hormone compared to other people. Autism is a developmental problem that constrains one’s social skills and communication. 

However, research found out that Oxytocin could come as a rescue. According to some studies, an intranasal spray of oxytocin boosts the secretion of love hormones. This in turn improves the social ability of people affected by Autism. 

Defensive mechanism

Oxytocin is found to impart defensive or protectionist feelings to the person. For example, high levels of oxytocin get released to parents upon protecting their babies from externalities. 

The same is the case with soldiers who fight for their side and protect their fellow soldiers from enemies. This behaviour has been first witnessed in some animal studies and most mammals show common attributes. 

Promotes sleep

Oxytocin hormone also functions as a calming agent. When the brain secretes oxytocin in the hypothalamus region, it fights the stress hormone cortisol. This readily induces your sleep and makes you feel relaxed.  

Helps to vanquish fear

Scientists revealed that the love hormones in males and females suppress the fear sensation in the brain. People with high oxytocin release have less fear compared to others. 

But with the nasal spray of oxytocin, this fear suppressing phenomenon can be induced among other people as well. 

How do love hormones positively affect you?

Oxytocin, collectively called happy hormones along with dopamine and serotonin, helps you by enhancing your emotions. This can improve your social ability and the way you communicate. 

In addition, it also amplifies your trust, relaxation and your overall psychological conditions. 

Some studies even show that the nasal spray of oxytocin helps people to have augmented communication abilities during times of lengthy and difficult arguments.

How to release oxytocin in a man?

Oxytocin is naturally secreted in males in the initial months of their relationships. It is also attributed to the sense of protectiveness towards their children and their loved ones. 

To sum up

It is interesting to know that the oxytocin love hormone affects males and females differently. This is because the hormones secreted in males and females differ and react in them differently. 

It is also evident that the role of oxytocin is high in women than in men. Because it additionally helps in labour, breastfeeding and parenting. However, oxytocin, in addition to motherhood, plays a vital role in fatherhood as well. 

Nevertheless, more studies are yet to be performed and more functions of the love hormone are yet to be understood.