12/17/2025
What is oxytocin?
Oxytocin is often called the bonding hormone or love hormone. It plays a powerful role in connection, trust, emotional safety, and calm.
Why it matters
Healthy oxytocin signaling supports:
-Social bonding & attachment
-Emotional regulation
-Stress reduction
-Feelings of safety and connection
When oxytocin signaling may be lower
Research suggests that differences in oxytocin pathways may be associated with:
-Social Bonding & Attachment: Variations affect pair-bonding, empathy, and general affiliative behaviors
-Mental Health: Linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), social anxiety, depression, and ADHD, often involving amygdala/prefrontal cortex activity.
-Development: Affects infant social motivation and brain development.
-Stress & Reward: Influences how individuals process stress and reward, interacting with dopamine pathways, with s*x differences in responses noted.
This doesn’t mean something is “wrong”—it means the nervous system may process connection differently.
Here’s the cool part 👇
👉 A 20-second hug (or longer!) can help stimulate oxytocin release.
Not a quick side hug—think intentional, calm, full-body contact.
Other natural oxytocin boosters
-Holding hands
-Eye contact with someone you trust
-Cuddling (including pets 🐶)
-Massage
-Breastfeeding
-Genuine laughter
-Yoga & Meditation
-Calming music
-and more...
Increasing your oxytocin can also improve your cortisol (stress hormone), by acting like a stress buffer.
Bottom line
Connection is medicine.
Your nervous system is wired for it—and small, intentional moments matter more than you think.
Connection is medicine. Now go give (or receive) that hug.
Lakes Area IV Wellness Clinic
