 When you hear the line, “I only have eyes for you”. Does it mean they are saying it with their heart or their hormones? The hormone in question is Oxytocin. Oxytocin -- a hormone released by the pituitary gland (notably during both orgasm and childbirth) -- is known to affect our behavior. It promotes bonding. Know those cute little prairie dogs that just seem to have love in their eyes all the time? Well, truth be told they have the highest levels of Oxytocin of any mammal. If humans had high levels of this hormone it could end the high rate of divorce based on adultery.
Let’s look how Oxytocin actually works. The hormone Oxytocin is probably best known for its role in childbirth and breastfeeding, although research has established that the Oxytocin drug can help forge deep connections with our partners, our children, our friends and even our pets. In childbirth, Oxytocin plays a vital role in triggering and regulating uterine contractions. If the contractions aren’t substantial enough, in a lot of cases Oxytocin is administered to help stimulate these contractions. Not only does this have a physical effect, but Oxytocin is a known as a ‘bonding hormone’ – ensuring that the mother starts to care for her young the moment after giving birth. The emotional and maternal reaction is heightened by the hormone, and the effects establish a bond between mother and baby. Oxytocin featured in breast feeding. By helping the mother to relax, it allows milk to flow to feed her baby. Through this, scientists and doctors started to take note, as the relaxing and wellbeing effects became apparent. Research also revealed that Oxytocin plays a huge role in the non-procreative aspects of sex. Both women and men release the Oxytocin hormone during lovemaking – and not only during orgasm. It also appears to be responsible for causing orgasms in the first place (and it doesn’t hurt to add the amino acid Histidine to the mix to create more histamine to make more powerful orgasms). Let’s talk sex. Yeah that made you sit up in your chair, but seriously LET’S TALK SEX! Oxytocin encourages a mild desire to be kissed and cuddled by your lover. In fact being touched anywhere on the body leads to a rise in Oxytocin levels. This causes a chain reaction within the body, including the release of endorphins and testosterone, which results in both biological and psychological arousal. And you thought testosterone was the main hormone for love and sex. When testosterone is high, it’s not in the mood for love, but sexual desire. Now you know that the hormone Oxytocin is responsible for ‘getting in the mood’ to get it on. Want to know why when your lover kisses your earlobes or neck you start to get those ‘feelings’ waking up in your body? Erogenous zones including earlobes, neck and genitals become sensitized to the effect of the hormone, and the body and mind become receptive and proactive in sexual activity. It not only arouses blood and the senses, but also promotes a bond of intimacy and closeness. The cycle continues to fire these pleasure giving endorphins and hormones and we naturally produce more Oxytocin and feel more pleasure as a reward. By stimulating genital areas and causing the nerves to fire spontaneously, orgasm is reached far easier and more powerfully. In orgasm, male Oxytocin levels climb five times higher, while women need higher levels if they are to reach orgasm. And during peak sexual arousal, the Oxytocin levels become very high indeed. At this point multiple orgasms can occur, but don’t be discouraged if you are ‘one and done’. Foods that can increase Oxytocin naturally are turkey, cottage cheese, nuts, fish, chicken, cheese and eggs are some of the foods that enhance oxytocin level in the body. Oxytocin is the hormone that helps unwind and diminish blood pressure and cortisol levels. My favorite is to eat dark chocolate. Nobody gives someone cottage cheese on Valentine’s Day or their anniversary. There you have it. The ‘Love’ hormone Oxytocin increases bonding and can actually put the ‘love’ back into lovemaking, like it should be. Comments are closed.
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