Oxytocin Hormone Benefits and Side Effects
Oxytocin is a hormone that helps relax and reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels. Oxytocin increases pain thresholds, has ant effects, and stimulates various types of positive social interaction. In addition, oxytocin promotes growth and healing.

The nonapeptide oxytocin, originally known to stimulate labor and milk ejection, appears to play an important role stress and pain. Oxytocin can induce anti-stress-like effects such as reduction of blood pressure and cortisol levels. It increases pain thresholds, exerts an anxiolytic-like effect and stimulates various types of positive social interaction. In addition, it promotes growth and healing. Repeated exposure to oxytocin causes long-lasting effects by influencing the activity of other transmitter systems, a pattern which makes oxytocin potentially clinically relevant. Oxytocin can be released by various types of non-noxious sensory stimulation, for example by touch and warmth. Ingestion of food triggers oxytocin release by activation of vagal afferents. Most likely, oxytocin can also be released by stimulation of other senses such as olfaction, as well as by certain types of sound and light. In addition, purely psychological mechanisms may trigger the release of oxytocin. This means that positive interaction involving touch and psychological support may be health-promoting. The social interaction of daily life, as well as a positive environment, continuously activates this system. In addition, various types of psychotherapy involving transfer of support, warmth and empathy are likely to induce similar effects, which thus contribute to the positive effects of these kinds of therapies.

Oxytocin Receptors
Oxytocin is a very abundant neuropeptide exerting a wide spectrum of central and peripheral effects as neurohormone, neurotransmitter, or neuromodulator. In the central nervous system, the oxytocin gene is predominantly expressed in magnocellular neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei. The magnocellular oxytocin neurons release their products into the general circulation in the neurohypophysis while the mediocellular oxytocin neurons secrete elsewhere in the CNS. Oxytocin is also produced in peripheral tissues, e.g., uterus, placenta, amnion, corpus luteum, testis, and heart. Oxytocin is a potent stimulator of spontaneous erections in rats and is involved in ejaculation. The typical actions of peripheral oxytocin are stimulation of uterine smooth muscle contraction during labor and milk ejection during lactation. Oxytocin receptors have also been identified in other tissues, including the kidney, heart, thymus, pancreas, and adipocytes.

How to increase Oxytocin levels
Ingestion of food triggers oxytocin release by activation of vagal afferent nerves. Most likely, oxytocin can also be released by stimulation of other senses such as olfaction, as well as by certain types of sound and light. In addition, purely psychological mechanisms may trigger the release of oxytocin. This means that positive interaction involving touch and psychological support may be health-promoting.

Oxytocin and Sex
Also known as the "cuddle" hormone, oxytocin is released by both men and women at sexual orgasm.

Oxytocin and Massage
Oxytocin can be released by various types of sensory stimulation, for example by touch and warmth. Bloodstream levels of oxytocin have been shown to rise during massage.

How Oxytocin Works
Oxytocin suppresses the activity of the brain region known as the amygdala, the area that processes fear and communicates it to the rest of the brain. A small sample group of 15 men inhaled either oxytocin or a placebo before performing a task in which they sorted pictures of angry or fearful faces and threatening scenes. During the test, the researchers monitored the subjects' brain activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging and found that the oxytocin group indeed had reduced activity in the amygdala.

Oxytocin Reduces Fear
Animal and human studies indicate the major role of the amygdala in controlling fear and anxiety. The amygdala is involved in detecting threat stimuli and linking them to defensive behaviors. This is accomplished by projections connecting the central nucleus of the amygdala to the brain stem and to hypothalamic structures, which organize fear responses. Oxytocin tempers the excitatory inputs into the amygdala.

Orgasm and Oxytocin Hormone
Plasma oxytocin levels increase during sexual arousal in both women and men and are significantly higher during orgasm / ejaculation than during baseline testing.

Availability of Oxytocin Drug
Oxytocin is sold as oxytocin nasal spray. Oxytocin nasal spray (Syntocinon) is currently off the market. A nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin, which is essential to the production and flow of breast milk, does not improve milk output in mothers expressing milk for preterm infants.Intranasal administration of Oxytocin causes a substantial increase in trusting behavior.

Oxytocin and bonding
The levels of oxytocin hormone in a pregnant woman's body play a role in how closely she will bond with her newborn. In animals, oxytocin, dubbed "the hormone of love and bonding," is involved in good parenting and maintaining close relationships. Dr. Ruth Feldman and colleagues at Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel, studied the role of this hormone in humans and found oxytocin is important in the bonding that occurs between mothers and their infants. Dr. Ruth Feldman and colleagues measured oxytocin levels in 60 pregnant women during the first and third trimester and the first month after delivery. They found that initial levels of oxytocin (first trimester) predicted bonding-related thoughts...as well as maternal bonding to the newborn. Mothers with higher levels of oxytocin at the start of pregnancy showed more bonding behaviors after birth. Psychological Science, November 2007.

Oxytocin hormone questions
Q. I would love to find out if men can boost their mood by having regular orgasms or sex. Are there any feel-good, mood-boosting chemicals released during sex that might help naturally boost a guy's mood? If so, how do they work in the body? How long do they last to help boost a guy's mood or help him relax, etc.? What else should men know about sex and their mood?
A. Men can temporarily improve their mood through sex and orgasms which can last several minutes, hours, or days depending on the depth of connection and intimacy with the partner. Oxytocin is one major hormone that is released through orgasm and its effects normally last minutes or hours. If there is a connection and love with the partner, the afterglow of the sexual connection and mood lift can last a long time. However, in most men, sex is not a reliable and consistent way to improve mood. If there is no emotional connection with the partner, there can actually be a let down after the sexual act. Oxytocin is secreted from the pituitary gland. Oxytocin receptors are found in many parts of the brain and spinal cord, including the amygdala and brainstem.

Q. I was advised by my urologist and my wife by her gynecologist that we should try oxytocin to address our inability to reach orgasm, but they didn't know where or how to obtain it. Do I need a prescription?
A. At Murray Avenue Apothecary we compound a topical oxytocin gel that may be used for men and women.  All formulations of oxytocin do require a prescription from your doctor.

WARNING: Oxytocin Use During Pregnancy

• Do not use oxytocin if you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant.
• Oxytocin may cause induction of labor and result in abortion of pregnancy.
• It is recommended that women of child bearing age use a reliable method of contraception while using oxytocin and/or consider taking a pregnancy test prior to use.

Use:
Oxytocin is a nanopeptide hormone that is secreted by the posterior pituitary.  Oxytocin produces a wide range effects both peripherally and locally in the brain.  It is released in large amounts in females during child birth, nipple stimulation and breast feeding. Oxytocin is released by males and females during sexual arousal and levels are significantly higher during orgasm/ejaculation than at baseline.  Oxytocin also plays a role in bonding, desire, social recognition, and trust and is therefore known as the “cuddle” hormone.

Traditionally, oxytocin has been administered as an injection or nasal spray to avoid chemical breakdown by the gastrointestinal tract.  It’s most common uses have been stimulation of uterine smooth muscle contraction during labor and milk production during lactation.  More recently, oxytocin is being used for its action on receptors located in the amygdala, uterus, testes, heart, and many other tissues to produce the following effects:

• Stimulation of ejaculation
• Orgasm- increase intensity, shorten time to orgasm, multiple orgasms, easier to climax
• Production of vaginal secretions
• Pleasurable sensation
• Feeling of well-being, warmth, trust and contentment
• Relaxation of blood vessels and decrease blood pressure

Oxytocin gel should be applied topically, and may be use by both females and males.  Dosing may vary according to indication and patient.

Cautions and Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to oxytocin or any component of the formulation
• Invasive cervical cancer
• Active genital herpes
• Hypertonic or hyperactive uterus, cephalopelvic disproportion, or other genitourinary conditions
• May produce antidiuretic effect (water retention)
• High/excessive doses or hypersensitivity to oxytocin may cause uterine hypertonicity, spasm, tetanic contraction, or rupture of the uterus
• Do not use if pregnant
• Patients who are breast-feeding should talk to their doctor before using oxytocin gel.  Engogenous levels of oxytocin naturally increase during breast-feeding.  Excretion in breast milk is unknown-use with caution.

Directions:

• This medication is a gel that should be applied to the skin.  Patients should always follow their physician or pharmacist’s instructions.  Do not exceed prescribed dose.

• Wash hands after using.
• Store in the refrigerator with the cap tightly closed.
• Keep medication out of reach of children and pets.

Possible Side Effects:
To date, no side effects have been reported with proper use of compounded oxytocin gel.  Documented side effects of oxytocin injection include increased blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac output; GI upset; genitourinary spasm, contraction, hematoma, and rupture; afibrinogenemia; hemorrhaging.

NOTE:
Call your doctor or pharmacist if:

• You experience any side effects.
• You are taking additional medicines that may interact with this compounded medicine.
• You have allergies or other medical conditions that should be noted.
• Information on the label is not clear to you.