In one sensory study, it was found that listening to slow relaxing music was associated with raised salivary oxytocin levels and lower heart rate, whereas fast music had little impact on oxytocin but reduced cortisol levels and increased arousal (Ooishi et al., 2017).
Neurochemically, sexual arousal, and orgasm are reliably associated with higher levels of oxytocin in studies. Even physical touch such as caressing, hugging, and holding hands can trigger oxytocin release. One study involving women found more hugs with their romantic partner was associated with higher oxytocin levels.
Without a doubt, jazz has some of the happiest songs ever written. This list of songs is at times peaceful and calming while other times celebratory and playful.
Most of the studies found higher levels of oxytocin during the orgasm or ejaculation. Given the sexual arousal evoked by self-stimulation in which sexual fantasies play an important role, it should be possible to postulate for a role of the oxytocin in sexual desire.
The ensuing findings indicate that women showed higher OT levels than men.
Music stimulates oxytocin – a hormone related to positive, happy feelings. In a recent study, it was found that singing for half an hour significantly increased oxytocin levels, with amateur singers feeling more elated and energetic after the session.
Your hypothalamus makes oxytocin, but your posterior pituitary gland stores and releases it into your bloodstream. Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, muscles and other tissues.
In a study with humans, singing for 30 minutes was shown to significantly raise oxytocin levels in both amateur and professional singers, regardless of how happy or unhappy the experience made them.
Its best to begin with light small touches on the arms and hands, to make the oxytocin effect kick in. Take her hand while taking to her (never ask for it, just take it), play thumb wrestling or pretend to read her palm or just play footsies under the table.
According to love biologist Dawn Maslar, the chemicals dopamine and vasopressin are vital for a man to start falling in love, whereas it's oxytocin and dopamine for women. Oxytocin, often nicknamed the love or cuddle hormone, also plays an important role in men but at a later stage.
Oxytocin induces penile erection and copulatory activity by activating its own neurons in the rat PVN.
Men have been shown to be particularly sensitive to physical contact, so touch likely boosted their oxytocin levels considerably, Melton says. “Justifying small ways to make any activity one where we're touching our partner, whether that's touching of the arm or around the shoulder, [could be useful],” Melton says.
Dark chocolate also improves blood flow to your brain, so it can improve your cognitive function. Plus, chocolate can improve your mood. It increases the release of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for feelings of pleasure.
There are studies that show that the types of words that we use release neurochemicals in our brains. Certain positive words can release oxytocin and negatively associated words can release cortisol⁽¹⁾.
The limbic system, which is involved in processing emotions and controlling memory, “lights” up when our ears perceive music. The chills you feel when you hear a particularly moving piece of music may be the result of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that triggers sensations of pleasure and well-being.
Did you know that there is a very specific reason why your breasts get larger, and even why you get powerful and oh so painful contractions during labour? It's all to do with hormones. Specifically, we are referring to prolactin and oxytocin, two of the main pregnancy and postpartum hormones.
The cuddle hormone
Men also have oxytocin, but it is compensated for by higher levels of testosterone - so they are less prone to cuddling!
It can also feel like lack of ability to trust. In women, low oxytocin presents in a greater variety of ways, including hormonal dysregulation (especially of sex hormones), inability to orgasm, and difficulty breast feeding if you have a newborn.