Oxytocin: The love hormone

 

        

Oxytocin
"The love hormone"

This hormone is called the "love drug" or "love hormone" because it facilitates childbirth. Women whose labor is slow to proceed are sometimes given Oxytocin to speed the process. 

Our bodies produce oxytocin when we are excited by our sexual partner and when we fall in love. that is another reason why it is called the "Love or cuddle hormone." 

Oxytocin acts as a chemical messenger in your brain and has an important role in many human behaviors and social interactions like:

- Sexual arousal 

- Recognition 

- Romantic attachment 

- Parent - infant boding 

Some of the other effects of oxytocin on the brain are:

1. Addiction 

2. Anorexia 

3. Anxiety 

4. Autism spectrum disorder 

5. Depression 

6. Post traumatic stress disorder 

Oxytocin is also linked to symptoms of depression and postpartum depression. Increasing the levels of oxytocin can help ease anxiety and depression.

Some of the ways to increase the levels of oxytocin are:

- Increasing exercise

- Listening to music 

- Singing to your favorite music 

- Act of touch like:

        1. Massage 

        2. Cuddling 

        3. Making love

        4. Giving a hug 

        5. Playing with a dog 

        6. Playing with a baby 

        7. Hugging your family 

        8. Holding a loved one's hand 

- Giving a compliment 

- Increase intake of vitamin C