Oxytocin’s Many Roles In The Human Body
Why is oxytocin produced in the body?
Oxytocin is an important hormone that is naturally produced by your body. This particular hormone is present in people of all genders but has a slightly different role in people of different genders.
Why people need oxytocin
When someone is pregnant, oxytocin is produced within the body to help with contractions. It stimulates uterine muscle contractions and womb contractions that help with childbirth.
If the contractions aren't strong enough or don't occur when they should, artificially created oxytocin may be used to help stimulate the body to go into labor and deliver the placenta, as well as to reduce the risk of heavy bleeding.
After childbirth, however, the role of oxytocin isn't entirely done. That's because it's also present within the body during lactation. Oxytocin helps increase milk movement within the breasts to then be excreted through the nipple. This can be important for breastfeeding and can help the infant get nourishment.
For men, oxytocin is responsible for the development of testosterone within the testes. It's also responsible for the movement of sperm within the body. By increasing the movement of sperm and the production of it (which happens by the increase of testosterone), oxytocin can make pregnancy more likely and more successful.
Another purpose of oxytocin is related to how the hormone reacts within the brain. While there are still things about oxytocin that we don’t know, it's believed to be a chemical messenger related to different behaviors within the human body. These behaviors include emotional and physical phenomena such as recognition, trust, sexual arousal, anxiety, and mother-infant bonding.
Proper levels of this hormone can increase an infant's and mother's ability to be healthy and happy in their relationship with one another. Oxytocin can also help with developing relationships with others because of the way that it relates to trust and recognition.
How it works
Oxytocin is self-stimulating, which means that once some of it is released, it triggers the body to release even more. For women who go into labor, a minor release of oxytocin often stimulates contractions, but it also stimulates the body to release even more oxytocin to stimulate even more contractions. As a woman gets closer and closer to delivery, the contractions get stronger and more frequent. This is a result of the increased amount of oxytocin that is released as the contractions continue. The same is true in other ways that the hormone is used within the body.
Finding out more
Oxytocin is an integral part of your body's chemical makeup, and if you suspect your body doesn't produce enough of it on its own, you might work with your doctor to understand your body better and learn what is happening.
Talking to a therapist about oxytocin concerns
If questions about oxytocin production or other matters are making you concerned, you might want to speak with a licensed therapist. Online therapy can be a viable option for these concerns, as you can ask your therapist any questions via video or audio chat without leaving home. Research has shown that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, and it tends to be more affordable. With BetterHelp, you can also receive wraparound support through in-app messaging in between sessions. You can write your therapist any time during the week, and they’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Takeaway
What is the reason for oxytocin release?
Oxytocin is a hormone that serves many different purposes within the body and the central nervous system. Its main function is to “facilitate birth”. This works because oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions during labor, creating a positive feedback loop to keep them going until the baby is delivered. It then facilitates milk production in lactating parents.
Oxytocin secretion is also known for reducing blood pressure and cortisol to lower stress and anxiety levels and promoting psychological bonding and trust. That’s why it can be released as a result of things like affectionate touch and making music together.
Does orgasm release oxytocin?
A 2021 study on the topic suggests that individuals tend to have higher oxytocin levels during and after orgasm. The researchers theorize that oxytocin released plays a role in mental stimulation during sexual activity.
What does oxytocin do to the body?
Oxytocin is a hormone that helps during the process of giving birth by making uterine contractions occur in a positive sensory feedback loop, and then by facilitating lactation. Outside of this context, oxytocin influences the reduction of feelings of stress and the promotion of trust and bonding between individuals as well.
It’s typically released through the pituitary gland into the blood or to oxytocin receptors in the brain and spinal cord. High plasma oxytocin levels—specifically of endogenous oxytocin—may also be associated with social cognition. Finally, it’s worth noting as well that problems with the oxytocin receptor gene could result in illness, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.
What activities produce oxytocin?
According to one paper on the topic, it’s typically “low-intensity stimulation of the skin” that can activate oxytocin neurons and oxytocin receptors. This can include gentle touch, sexual touch, warm temperatures, and food intake. Since it plays a role in bonding and trust as well, it can also be released in the process of falling in love or making music together with others. It can even be released through positive human-animal interactions, such as playing or cuddling with a pet.
Where do you touch a guy to release oxytocin?
There are generally not thought to be specific physical areas you can touch that will release oxytocin in a person, aside from the nipples in a lactating parent. Instead, it’s more about the type of touch. Gentle, affectionate or sexual touch will typically be a trigger, such as cuddling or stroking—which is why oxytocin is commonly referred to as “the cuddle hormone.”
Why is oxytocin so addictive?
Research suggests that oxytocin itself is not addictive, unless it were to be developed into a pharmaceutical and could therefore be misused by being taken in at very high levels through intranasal administration, for example. This topic has arisen because of the chemical’s potential applications in treating addiction. They said, this hormone is often associated with pleasurable experiences like affectionate touch, sexual desire, and food intake, which can help motivate a person to seek more of these activities.
Do guys release oxytocin when cuddling?
In general, human beings release oxytocin when receiving affectionate touch like cuddling. This fact is true regardless of sex or gender.
What chemical is released during orgasm?
Oxytocin and dopamine are two brain chemicals typically released during sexual stimulation and orgasm.
Can words trigger oxytocin?
Speech between people who trust each other can result in the release of oxytocin, a hormone commonly associated with love, affection, and bonding.
What is the male love hormone?
Oxytocin is commonly referred to as the “love hormone” for humans of any sex or gender, as it’s associated with affectionate touch, physical desire, and interpersonal trust.
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