What Is Oxytocin? 12 Tips to Naturally Boost Oxytocin Levels

Oxytocin hormone is a powerful hormone in both men and women. It plays a major role in the body. It plays a major role in determining emotions and the general functioning of the body and the brain. You can increase the levels of this hormone by listening to music and staying around what you like or love most.

Oxytocin hormone should remain at an optimum level in the brain. If the level falls, one may develop some mental conditions such as anxiety, stress, personality disorders, and fear. Therefore, ensure that the levels of this hormone do not fall. There are various ways to increase the production of this hormone. Some people have gone to the extent of using intranasal oxytocin sprays to induce. However, there are natural ways in which you can increase oxytocin production. Read through this article to understand how.

What is Oxytocin Hormone?

Oxytocin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus. It is stored in the posterior pituitary gland. It is released into the bloodstream, where it controls the key functioning of the body. It is an important hormone in reproduction. According to Bell et al. (2004), oxytocin controls lactation, labor, and delivery. This hormone also has an impact on human behavior and wellness. Doctors may provide a synthetic form of oxytocin known as syntocinon and Pitocin if there is insufficient oxytocin in the body. It is a hormone mostly injected into pregnant women to induce labor or uterine contractions.

Functions of Oxytocin

Oxytocin plays a major role in the reproductive system. It controls labor and delivery and helps in lactation too. It also triggers a sexual drive in both men and women. It has a lot of impacts on moods. This happens by reducing the stress hormone in the body. When it is low in the brain, it makes your moods low too. Oxytocin helps you feel good about yourself by bringing success and contentment. It helps you to improve social behaviors by developing personalities such as openness, trust, and loyalty. Oxytocin may also play a major role in bonding between a mother and a child and romantic relationships. However, if the level of this hormone is very low in the brain, major activities in the body may fail. During the birthing process, contractions may disappear. It may also inhibit milk production after birth. It may also cause stress hormone production, leading to anxiety and depression. Some disorders such as autism are also likely to worsen when oxytocin in the brain is too low. On the other hand, when the level of oxytocin is very high, it is likely to cause hypertrophy in the uterus and a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Tips to Naturally Boost Oxytocin Levels

The following are natural ways to induce the production of oxytocin hormone.

Music

This is one of the most effective ways of increasing oxytocin. According to Champagne et al. (2001), music calms and heals the brain. This calmness triggers the brain to produce more oxytocin. You can not only listen to music but also try singing along. Nilsson et al. (2009) stated that heart surgery patients listened to soothing music for 30 minutes daily. This increased the production of oxytocin. In another study, researchers found that singers had increased production of oxytocin.

Take Coffee

Coffee can enhance the release of oxytocin by the brain. However, taking it in the evening may disrupt sleep.

Yoga and Exercises

Yoga is a way of relaxing both the body and the mind. Yoga stimulates the vagus nerve in the brain, increasing the production of oxytocin. This will help you sleep better and reduce anxiety and depression. Other body exercises such as running and rope skipping can help reduce the stress hormones in the body. Other excises such as swimming, hiking, or taking nature walks are also powerful in stimulating the production of oxytocin.

Reach Out To Less-Fortunate

Helping those in need or doing something good to someone makes you feel good about yourself. This also will trigger oxytocin.

Pet

Having your favorite pet lying next to you or playing with it can enhance the release of the oxytocin hormone.

Stay Close To Those You Love

Helliwell & Wang (2014) confirmed that spending time with friends or someone you love can greatly impact your emotional well-being. It makes you feel accepted and socially appreciated. It is more so when you stay close to people who appreciate and trust you. The increased production of oxytocin brings about this calmness.

Start a Conversation

You can have a one-on-one conversation with someone you love or make a call. You can also try calling an old lost friend. Speaking, listening, and sharing experiences may trigger oxytocin production.

Meditation

You can either self-meditate or meditate on someone you love and care about. This will help reduce anxiety and stress and improve moods.

Have Sex

Sex and the good feeling after that with a lover can trigger the production of oxytocin. This happens when one gets into an orgasm. It also makes you feel more connected and appreciated by your partner.

Hug or Kiss

Holding each other close or having intimate contact such as kissing may trigger the production of oxytocin.

Have a Meal with a Friend

Invite a friend or a romantic partner to dinner at your house. You can also go out with them and have dinner in a romantic restaurant. The whole process of preparing, dressing up well, and the romantic atmosphere at the restaurant may help trigger oxytocin.

Eat Healthy Foods

Foods rich in magnesium, vitamins C and D are good for oxytocin production. Foods rich in magnesium include pumpkin seeds, bananas, and dark chocolate. You can also get magnesium by taking magnesium supplements. You can get vitamin C from fruits and vegetables. Exposing yourself to the sun will facilitate the synthesis of vitamin D.

Conclusion

Oxytocin hormone is produced in the brain. It helps in the contraction of the uterus during delivery and lactation. Low levels of this hormone may cause stress and anxiety. Natural ways of increasing the production of oxytocin include yoga, general body exercise, sex, listening to music and singing, eating food rich in magnesium, vitamin C and D. Having a conversation with a friend, staying close to a friend or a lover, and doing something good to someone also increases oxytocin production.

References

Bell, A. F., Erickson, E. N., & Carter, C. S. (2014). Beyond Labor: The Role Of Natural And Synthetic Oxytocin In The Transition To Motherhood. Journal Of Midwifery & Women's Health, 59(1), 35-42.

Champagne, F., Diorio, J., Sharma, S., & Meaney, M. J. (2001). Naturally Occurring Variations In Maternal Behavior In The Rat Are Associated With Differences In Estrogen-Inducible Central Oxytocin Receptors. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, 98(22), 12736-12741. 

Helliwell, J. F., & Wang, S. (2014). Weekends And Subjective Well-Being. Social Indicators Research, 116(2), 389-407.

Nilsson, U. (2009). Soothing Music Can Increase Oxytocin Levels During Bed Rest After Open‐Heart Surgery: A Randomised Control Trial. Journal Of Clinical Nursing, 18(15), 2153-2161.