Oxytocin (Chemical Formula C43H66N12O12S2 ) (Greek, "quick birth") is a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain Hormones are your body's chemical messengers. When released from the glands into the bloodstream, they act on various organs and tissues, controlling everything from how the body works to how it feels. Therefore, it is called the “Feel Good Hormone”. They are also considered neurotransmitters, meaning they carry messages across the spaces between nerve cells
What are the four happy hormones?
Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins, and Oxytocin.
Simple lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and meditation can increase levels of these hormones and may improve mood in the process.
What is oxytocin?
Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. Oxytocin stimulates contractions of the uterine muscles and also increases the production of lactation, oxytocin facilitates the movement of milk through the milk ducts of the breast. It is also present in men and is involved in sperm transport and testosterone production by the testicles.
LOVE HORMONE:
Oxytocin is a natural hormone that controls important aspects of the female and male reproductive system, including labor, and lactation, as well as aspects of human behavior. The hypothalamus produces oxytocin, while the posterior pituitary gland stores oxytocin and releases it into the bloodstream.
Hormones are chemicals that regulate various functions in the body by sending messages through the blood to organs, muscles, and other tissues. These signals tell the body what to do and when.
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and digestion.
The pituitary gland is a small pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, below the hypothalamus.
Oxytocin is sometimes called the "love hormone" or the "cuddle chemical" because it is associated with trust, sexual arousal, and relationship building. Oxytocin levels also increase when you cuddle someone or experience an orgasm.
How do hormones affect your mind, mood, and body?
Hormones are your body's chemical messengers. When released from the glands into the bloodstream, they act on various organs and tissues, controlling everything from how the body works to mood. , called the “Feel Good Hormone”. They are also considered neurotransmitters, meaning they carry messages across the spaces between nerve cells. What are the four happy hormones? Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins, and Oxytocin.
How are oxytocin levels controlled?
Oxytocin is one of the few hormones with a positive feedback loop - this means that the release of oxytocin stimulates the pituitary gland to release more. During labor contractions, when the fetus puts pressure on the cervix, the pituitary gland is stimulated to release Oxytocin. The release continues until the baby stops drinking and resumes when the baby starts drinking again. During lactation and breastfeeding (breastfeeding), a baby's sucking stimulates the pectoralis anterior part of the body to release oxytocin and push milk into the breast tissue.
What happens when oxytocin levels are high?
Oxytocin levels above normal in individuals classified as female at birth (AFAB) are extremely rare and are termed oxytocin toxicity. It makes the uterus overactive, increases uterine muscle mass (hypertrophy), and limits pregnancy because there is not enough space in the uterus to hold the fetus. It is associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - an enlarged prostate.
What happens if I have low oxytocin levels?
Lower than normal oxytocin levels are rare.
Oxytocin is the hormone released by the pituitary gland and stops contractions during labor and the flow of milk after delivery. Low levels of oxytocin are associated with autism spectrum disorders and depressive symptoms, and scientists are investigating the potential use of this hormone as a treatment. Scientists are still investigating the link between oxytocin and these disorders, and the potential use of synthetic oxytocin as a treatment.
Receptor of Oxytocin:
A. Female Reproductive System
1. Uterus
2. Ovary and corpus luteum
B. Male Reproductive Tract
1. Testis
2. Prostate gland
C. Mammary Tissues
1· Milk ejection
2· Breast cancer and tumor cells
D. Kidney
E.Heart and Cardiovascular System
F. Other Localizations
1. Thymus
2. Fat cells
3. Pancreas
4. Adrenal gland
Oxytocin and emotions:
When oxytocin enters the bloodstream, it affects the uterus and lactation, but when released in specific parts of the brain, it can affect emotional, cognitive, and social behavior. A review of studies found that hormonal effects on "prosocial behavior" and emotional responses contribute to relaxation, self-confidence, and psychological well-being. These effects have been observed in many species.
Behavioral effects
A 2011 study found that intranasal administration of oxytocin improved self-awareness in social situations and enhanced personality traits such as warmth, trust, altruism, and openness. In 2014, researchers published results in the journal Emotion suggesting that people saw others' emotional expressions more intensely after receiving oxytocin via nasal spray. A study published in her PNAS in 2013 suggests that oxytocins may help men stay loyal to their partners.
Psychiatric therapy
Oxytocin has been proposed as a potential treatment for social phobia, autism, and postpartum depression. Scientists believe it may help improve interpersonal relationships and personal well-being. Children with autism may benefit from oxytocin, some researchers say. Oxytocin may also play a role in anger management.
Use of oxytocin:
Oxytocin may be a useful therapy for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Oxytocin appears to increase the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in cells lining the intestine. This helps promote repair of intestinal damage and protect against such damage.
Overview on Oxytocin
Intranasal oxytocin increased generosity by 80% in the ultimatum game but had no effect in the dictator game, which measures altruism. Researchers in this experiment explicitly induced perspective-taking in the game by not telling participants which role they would be placed in. During a study of wild chimpanzees, it was found that subjects were more empathetic when they shared food with an unrelated chimpanzee.
Confidence:
People using oxytocin nasal spray feel more confident about strangers controlling their money. Revealing emotional events is a sign of trust in people. It may be to reduce the fear of social betrayal in humans. People with the CT haplotype experience stronger reactions in the form of anger to betrayal. In suspected cases such as betrayal, different responses are associated with differences in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR).
Romantic Bonds:
Some studies have correlated high plasma oxytocin levels with romantic attachment. Oxytocin can help romantically bound couples by reducing feelings of anxiety during a breakup.
Fraud/Deception in Group Services:
A carefully controlled study examining the biological roots of immoral behavior showed that oxytocin fostered dishonesty when the outcome favored the group to which the individual belonged rather than the individual.
Oxytocin influences social distance:
Oxytocin influences social distance between adult men and women and may be at least partially responsible for romantic attraction and subsequent bonding of monogamous pairs. Oxytocin nasal spray caused men in monogamous relationships to move an attractive woman 10–15 cm away from her on their first encounter. Researchers have suggested that oxytocin may help promote fidelity in monogamous relationships. For this reason, it's sometimes called the "bonding hormone." There is some evidence that oxytocin promotes ethnocentric behavior by combining trust and empathy within the group with distrust and rejection of outsiders. Social differences are associated with maladaptive social traits such as aggressive behavior.
Social Behavior:
Oxytocin evokes feelings of contentment, anxiety reduction, calmness, and security in the company of partners. Studies have shown that it can reduce anxiety and protect against stress when combined with EndocanQ8nabinoid signaling and has been found to mediate oxytocin-driven social rewards. Lack of social skills and appropriate emotional behavior are common signs of autism. Low levels may be a novel sign in individuals falling on the autism spectrum.
REFERENCE:
Liu, Y., Li, S., Lin, W. et al. Oxytocin modulates social value representations in the amygdala. Nat Neurosci 22, 633–641 (2019).
Comments