How does oxytocin work?

Oxytocin is a nine-amino-acid hypothalamic hormone. This site's profile says it activates oxytocin receptors to stimulate uterine contraction and milk let-down, and modulates social and emotional processing in the brain. Half-life is about 1 to 6 minutes. Molecular weight is 1,007.2 daltons. It is FDA approved as Pitocin, given into a vein or a muscle in hospital, to induce or improve contractions and to control postpartum bleeding. A Cochrane review found prophylactic oxytocin compared with no uterotonic probably reduces postpartum blood loss. Intranasal use for autism, anxiety, and social behavior is a different question: a 24-week Phase 2 trial in 290 children and adolescents found no significant difference from placebo on social withdrawal, and a meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials found no significant effect on social cognition or repetitive behaviors. The obstetric approval is not evidence for a nasal spray sold for bonding. This FAQ does not invent a dose. Full record at /compounds/oxytocin.

Educational use only. This database summarizes published research and is not medical advice. Where a dose appears it is a record of what a trial or clinic ran, or what people describe doing, with its source attached. Nothing here is a recommendation for personal use.

Part of sexual health and hormone peptides. PT-141, melanotan, oxytocin, gonadorelin, and kisspeptin-10.