Suffering anxiety and want to improve your social confidence? Feeling awkward and dread towards social gatherings? Low libido and would love more intimacy with your partner? Need more sleep?
It is amazing that one hormone can influence such a range of life-altering situations … Here’s the lowdown on oxytocin, the hormone released during labour and childbirth, otherwise known as the bonding or love hormone.
It is amazing that one hormone can influence such a range of life-altering situations … Here’s the lowdown on oxytocin, the hormone released during labour and childbirth, otherwise known as the bonding or love hormone.
Oxytocin and love
Oxytocin is often labelled the love hormone for both men and women. Oxytocin influences many physical and physiological actions within the body and is elevated when we are in situations of stress, social bonding and intimacy or affection. The hormone helps to create a feeling of calm, closeness/intimacy, trust, social understanding, increase generosity, protectionist behaviours and intensifies sexual bonding and intimacy between partners. It is also used as an anitidote for drug withdrawl or cravings and is involved in the satifaction of hunger.
Oxytocin and mental health
Oxytocin influences our brains behaviour and is used to potentially help in many mental health disorders such as Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, eating disorders, severe anxiety and autism. In Autism, low levels of oxytocin are typically demonstrated. Research has shown Oxytocin supplementation can decrease autistic traits such as fear in social situations and an increase in feelings of trust. It has been shown to potentially open up speech pathways.
Oxytocin and sleep patterns
We all need more sleep! Oxytocin is realeased in times of stress to reduce our stress hormone cortisol, promoting a feeling of calm and tranquility leading the path to better quality sleep patterns. The body certainly is a clever machine!
We all need more sleep! Oxytocin is realeased in times of stress to reduce our stress hormone cortisol, promoting a feeling of calm and tranquility leading the path to better quality sleep patterns. The body certainly is a clever machine!
If you would like to discuss any concerns, please email us or call into one of our stores to chat with one of our experienced Pharmacists in Byron Bay or on the Gold Coast.