Do you remember feeling warm and fuzzy the last time you held hands with your partner?
Oh, wait.
Should we reframe the question to include singles?
Okay, do you remember feeling loved the last time you pet a dog?
If yes, it was the love hormone giving your heart that warmth you felt.
“Love hormone”, or oxytocin as you science nerds know it, is produced in the hypothalamus
part of the brain.
It is a neurotransmitter involved in childbirth, breastfeeding and sperm movement.
The levels of oxytocin increase during hugging and even orgasms.
Today we’ll be talking about the love hormone, taking you through its production in the body,
hormonal interactions and its effect on emotions and behaviour.
1.
What is the connection between “Love Hormone” and “Love”?
Oxytocin’s release is associated with trust, empathy, sexual-activity and relationship
building.
Its amount is usually higher in females than in men.
Now you can’t blame them for the extra love they show at times.
Just accept it as an extra hormonal dosage.
Studies have shown that couples in their initial stages of dating have higher levels of oxytocin
in comparison to the times when they are single.
This can explain those butterflies you felt when you hugged your partner for the first
time.
It is interesting to know about such bodily changes associated with love, right?
To know more about them watch our video on “What Happens To Your Body When You Fall
In Love” linked down below.
But it is not just the love this hormone is capable of regulating.
Oxytocin levels shoot up during sexual activity and intense orgasms.
It can drive trust, empathy and reminiscence of beautiful times.
Hey, don’t blame the poor hormone for opening your diary and reading your old love letters.
That’s its job.
If it stops doing so, you’ll be having never-ending trust issues.
2.
Can your body produce it?
No matter how skilled you are at hiding from love, it’ll find you when it has to.
Why?
Well because oxytocin is produced naturally in your body.
It is produced by the hypothalamus, but secreted by the pituitary gland.
It is synthesized and transported to the posterior pituitary from where it is secreted directly
into the bloodstream.
It is also secreted within the brain.
A small amount of it is also secreted in ovaries and testes.
It is normally packed into small granules which are secreted along with carrier proteins
called neurophysin.
What is its connection with Dopamine and Serotonin?
Pharrell was probably high on the hormone trinity when he wrote his iconic hit “happy”.
By the trinity, we mean oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin, collectively known as happy
hormones.
There’s a cascade that follows when you see your crush.
No, not just you freezing externally and acting all dumb.
The brain releases high amounts of dopamine which in turn pumps up serotonin levels.
As a result, there is a surge of oxytocin.
All of this is supposed to make you feel good.
Do you see?
Your body does such an elaborate hormone play hoping that you’ll gather enough courage
to talk.
C’mon champ you can do it.
So now, let us forget for a moment how you behave around your prospective partner.
Can oxytocin affect social behaviour and emotions positively?
The answer is yes.
It can help the body adapt to complicated and stressful situations, both emotionally
and socially.
During arguments, intranasal oxytocin is proven to help with better communication.
In fact, in a 2010 study, it showed signs of helping autistic patients understand and
respond to social cues better.
Oxytocin is also responsible for making you feel comfortable and relaxed in a social setting.
It drives trust and overall psychological stability.
That is the reason you feel calm after spotting one familiar face in a crowd of strangers.
A sense of belonging follows after you have spotted your best bud.
As a result, it reduces stress and anxiety.
It’s your hormone that helps you loosen up.
Not those shots you took last night.
Alright, the Tequila may have helped a little.
3.
The Relationship Between Parenthood and Love Hormone
Oxytocin plays a multi-dimensional role in motherhood.
Starting with being a helping hand during labour, it gives the first signal for uterine
contractions.
Smooth muscles of the uterus start pushing the baby faster and also signals for the release
of other related hormones.
Post-delivery, oxytocin restores everything how it was.
No, it can’t really get your pre-pregnancy physique back.
You have to sweat it out.
But it surely can help in restoring your uterus.
After birth, oxytocin helps in the next step too.
Babies latching on their mother’s breast triggers hormone release.
Oxytocin’s high levels, in turn, stimulate milk release by mammary ducts.
But its work isn’t done yet.
Mother’s bond with her child is also driven by this hormone’s level.
Studies have shown that mothers with a higher level are more likely to have a stronger bond
with their baby.
They would engage in more affectionate behaviours such as checking in on baby, singing lullabies,
and grooming.
A stronger motherly connection makes the level of oxytocin in a child higher too.
This results in a child seeking more contact and hence strengthening the bond they share.
The magic of oxytocin is not only limited to biological mothers.
The case is very similar even with foster mothers.
Plus, don’t you assume it affecting only motherhood.
Fathers observe a similar boost of oxytocin with their infant’s contact.
In a 2010 study, activities such as directing the baby’s attention towards an object and
making the baby explore were performed.
These interactions between father and baby showed increased oxytocin levels on both sides.
Now you know why all dads love playing peek-a-boo with their little one?
4.
Oxytocin and Fidelity.
Is there a connection?
To be truthful, there is a vicious cycle.
Oxytocin has a unique ability to make individuals see their partner as more attractive than
other familiar or unfamiliar ones.
This is actually due to a behaviour loop.
Oxytocin acts very wickedly.
It functions on a reward pathway.
Having sexual contact with your partner or engaging with them socially increases oxytocin
levels.
The more you get the more you seek.
So the more oxytocin you produce the more you desire your partner.
There are literal studies that show the hormone of being able to influence males into keeping
a social distance from other females.
Listen, don’t start googling oxytocin shots for your boyfriend already.
Plus, it might very much be illegal to sell them without a prescription, I am sure.
Don’t be too quick to generalize men though.
A 2014 study proved something similar for females.
Female subjects treated with oxytocin showed reduced infidelity behaviours in them.
They preferred interacting with their own partner more than strangers of the opposite
sex.
Ahh someone tell contestants of love island about the existence of this hormone in their
bodies, please?
5.
Why is the effect different in Males and Females?
Please don’t answer back by saying, “Duh, because bodies are different.”
I mean you won’t be entirely wrong even if you say that.
But like, give me the opportunity to explain it scientifically.
The portion of your brain responsible for regulating emotions, motivation and reward
are known as Amygdala.
This hormone acts differently depending on if it’s a man or woman.
In females, it can help them solve the confusion about whom to make their bestie and whom not
to.
Cheers for the channel name reference.
For males, on the other hand, the hormone plays a role in identifying competitive roles.
In a threatening situation, it helps them decide whether to fight or run away.
No, don’t call your man a coward for his hormonal actions.
6.
What are the medical uses and side effects?
With the roles well understood, it’s easier to understand its medical applications too.
During childbirth, oxytocin can be used to induce contractions and reduce bleeding.
It is also used for hormone-mediated abortions.
Oxytocin due to its ability to act directly on the brain is being explored for wider applications.
It is currently being researched upon as a possible treatment for postpartum depression.
With certain side effects, such as synthetic form showing an increased risk of anxiety
disorders, the study is still underway.
It is found to be helpful in case of autism, developmental disorders and some psychiatric
conditions involving impaired social interactions.
Last but not least, alcohol and substance abuse disorders also have their hopes for
possible treatment in this area.
Studies are still on, let’s hope for the best.
But don’t get swayed with all the goodness, let us warn you about the side effects too.
Oxytocin has been linked with feelings of envy, dishonesty and favouritism.
Even though the effects and side effects might sound contradictory, one must remember that
biosynthesis and cascade interactions of hormones are complicated.
There are always risks involved in things not going the way they are expected to.
Should one be held accountable for their bad behaviour, or are your hormones the real culprit?
Sound off in the comment section and don’t forget to hit the bell and subscribe for more
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