Oxytocin the "Hug Hormone"

Transcript-

You know that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you hug that special someone? Well, that feeling is generally caused by the neurohormone Oxytocin a.k.a the “Cuddle Chemical” a.k.a the “Hug Hormone” a.k.a the “Moral Molecule”.  

Best known for its role in sexual reproduction, Oxytocin helps stimulate uterine contractions for cervical dilation during the 2^nd and 3^rd stages of labor, and also stimulates mammary glands in order to produce milk after childbirth.  This water soluble molecule with plasma membrane receptors is released into the blood stream by neurosecretory cells located in the pituitary gland which are controlled by the hypothalamus a.k.a the control center. During lactation, which is regulated by a positive feedback loop, a baby will suck on its mother’s nipple. This stimulates sensory nerve cells in the breast that then send a signal to the hypothalamus to tell the pituitary gland to secrete oxytocin.  The oxytocin causes the mammary glands to produce milk. The production of milk then prompts the baby to continue sucking, thus continuing the loop.

 This “Moral Molecule” is also thought to increase feelings of trust, empathy, monogamy between relationships, and sexual arousal. This “Hug Hormone” is responsible for the intense pleasure felt during sexual intercourse. Basically, it’s what gets you in “mood.” Studies have shown that during the orgasmic process, high spikes of Oxytocin are released in both males and females. Because these levels don’t drop right away, many couples mistake the positive feelings after sex as love. Sorry. Well that’s it for this show, thanks for listening.