Why the world needs more oxytocin right now

COVID has bought the best and worst out of our society. It has highlighted traits of compassion, kindness and empathy where amazing gestures of support have gone a long way to helping others, but this sits within a population that by and large is driven by selfish and aggressive motives. We have had hoarding of the worst kind, fights at check outs, fisties in the street, police heads being bashed into concrete and blatant breaking of public health restrictions designed to protect our wellbeing. On the other hand we then have people withdrawing, fearful, anxious and scared - and that is also as equally worrying. 

I have been thinking… how did we get to this? And I wonder if we could go as far as saying that there is public health dilemma much deeper and invisibly present than we could ever imagine; and that is a society whose nervous system is running on permenant fight and flight mode.  Essentially COVID has asked us to stop, to isolate, to slow down like we never have before… but it seems we can’t do this very well and perhaps the issue is that so many of us just do not know how to live a slower life.

This is where oxytocin can help, and why I think the world needs more of it. The good news is we all have it and we all have capacity to increase its loving goodness in our bodies. 

Oxytocin, the queen of love, sometimes known as the ‘cuddle or lust hormone’ was first discovered by Sir Henry Dale when he found out that an extract from the human posterior pituitary gland contracted the uterus of a pregnant cat! He was quick to name the substance oxytocin which is Greek for “quick” and “birth”. It was later found out that the hormone played a starring role in mother child bonding and breastfeeding in particular the release of mother’s milk, known as the ‘let down reflex’.

Well it just so happens that oxytocin is more than just a pregnancy and childbirth hormone – it isn’t just found in the female uterus, but in the brain, heart and reproductive tract of females and males alike! It actually plays a dual role here, not only as a hormone swimming in our bloodstream but as a neurotransmitter cruising along nerve cells in the brain and elsewhere in the body.

Researchers have found that oxytocin levels rise in the blood and brain outside of pregnancy and nursing and may very well be linked to things such as orgasms, massage or touch, eating, exercise, meditation and stillness, a bubbly warm bath, a good book in the sun, and bonding with friends and family.

Oxytocin’s role in the brain is acknowledged but not very well understood or explored by scientists across the board. One of scientists that has dedicated a significant portion of her career to oxytocin research is Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg and her research suggests that oxytocin plays an important role in keeping our nervous system calm.

‘Today we know that this important biochemical, found in both sexes, plays a key role in many other situations and conditions, which despite their different appearances, have a common denominator. They are all characterised by peacefulness, relaxation and a feeling of contentment’ – Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg, The Oxytocin Factor

So what exactly does oxytocin do to us:

• Makes us less fearful, more sociable and nurturing

• Enhances our social memory

• Increases our tolerance to boredom and monotony 

• Reduces anxiety, increases calm and alleviates pain

• Improves our learning ability because it reduces stress

• Regulates digestion, helps promote storage of nourishment in the body

• Accelerates growth and healing of wounds and reduces inflammation

• Maintains the body’s fluid levels

• Lowers blood pressure, stress hormones, and pulse 

The sad news is when we run on adrenalin, our stress hormones supress our love one’s and oxytocin can’t really release the power it has to keep us a calm. And yep all those wonderful physiological affects listed above, just don’t happen all that well!

So wake up peeps, have more sex, cuddle more, massage yourself and others, play in your garden if you have one, do some yoga or meditation, read a good book, eat to feel nourished, feel the suns warmth on your face, breath in the fresh air and be kind to yourself and others – start getting pro at learning to go slow. 

This my friend will bring you peace and joy. Peace out.

Best Wishes,

Zoe | www.bellamama.com.au

Hypnobirthing Practitioner Childbirth Educator ( HPCE)
Hypnobirthing Australia™ - Postpartum Doula - Yoga Teacher (RYT 200)

Wishing for a positive and calm birth and a peaceful transition to motherhood?