# Oxytocin --- **Oxytocin** is a [[hormone]] produced by [[hypothalamus]] and sent to the [[pituitary gland]] to be stored and released. It has two main functions. One, it's basically the hormone that we associate with the feeling of being in love, and two it plays a very important function in initiating [[labor]] and [[lactation]]. ```smiles CCC(C)C1C(=O)NC(C(=O)NC(C(=O)NC(CSSCC(C(=O)NC(C(=O)N1)CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)N)C(=O)N3CCCC3C(=O)NC(CC(C)C)C(=O)NCC(=O)N)CC(=O)N)CCC(=O)N ``` ## The Love Hormone Oxytocin is a bonding hormone, producing feelings of being in love. It's produced when you cuddle or hug someone, during sex or orgasm, or simply bonding with your partner or child. Unfortunately synthetic oxytocin has a difficult time crossing the [[blood-brain barrier]], so we haven't found a way to give it for conditions like depression. Some natural ways of boosting oxytocin are: - physical touch, hugging a friend or family member - exercise - music - especially people playing/singing in a group ## Oxytocin During Childbirth During [[childbirth]], oxytocin levels spike at the start of [[labor]] and trigger uterine contractions and prostaglandin production. ![[pregnancy hormones.png]] Release of oxytocin is one of the rare examples of [[homeostasis#Negative Feedback vs Positive Feedback|positive feedback]] in homeostasis because it releases prostaglandins which also increase contractions. ___