Further research on Oxytocin nasal sprays, Part 1
It has been called the ultimate love potion and this is the way companies now offering oxytocin nasal sprays are marketing it. It is still unknown whether oxytocin is the ultimate secret to unlocking love, however we do know that it plays a crucial role in both bonding and trust.
Oxytocin has become widely referred to as the cuddle hormone. It has gained this pseudonym because of its effect and role in both maternal instincts and social bonding.
Many of the myths surrounding oxytocin at the moment are speculation. Websites reporting that it gives near total control of the will of anyone you desire are wide of the mark. I have even seen one website (which I wont name) that has refferred to it as a “roofie in a spray“.
What we do know about oxytocin though is that in animal models, including humans, oxytocin levels in the brain play a large role in social, romantic, sexual and learning behaviours and states.
The discovery of oxytocin receptors in the brain has been a fairly recent discovery. Up until ten years ago scientists had not known these things even existed. What scientists have shown what these recoptors do is to form our behavioural to stimulus related to social bonding etc.
Oxytocin is found in the bodies of both men and women in fairly equal amounts, the oxytoin receptors are also found in both sexes but are particularly dense around the reproductive organs and the brain. It is also interesting to note that oxytocin is given to almost all women entering labour. This is done to help induce contractions and speed up the process of childbirh. Oxytocin use in childbirth is a huge subject and in this article I will not delve much into this use of oxytocin.
Most scientists are not out and out believers that oxytocin can do everything some people claim it can however more and more credible scientists are starting to think twice about what they claim of oxytocin. At this moment there are many studies by world leading academics to try and find out the true nature of this hormone.
