Supplements to Increase Oxytocin Levels

The so-called love hormone, oxytocin, plays an important role in the human mind and body. It's one of many hormones responsible for euphoria, exhilaration, happiness, contentment, joy, and general well-being. It is very closely related to other endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and more.

This hormone is thought to produce fuzzy, warm, and happy feelings and may be beneficial in terms of relieving symptoms associated with stress, anxiety, depression, and more. With that being said, if your oxytocin levels are too low, it may lead to those same feelings of anxiety, stress, depression, and a general sense of malaise.

This is why it is so important to have adequate levels of oxytocin in your system because it can help make you feel better mentally and physically. Luckily for you, we will explore everything there is to know about oxytocin, including supplements that increase oxytocin levels naturally. 

By the end of this article, you should have all of the tools you need to start feeling better and living a more productive life.

Key Takeaways

• Oxytocin plays many key functions in the human body, and low levels of it are often associated with symptoms of depression.
• Various natural substances may help increase oxytocin levels, with magnesium and vitamin C being two of them.
• This so-called love hormone can also be stimulated through social bonding, sexual activity, and spending time with your loved ones.

What is Oxytocin?

Oxytocin is both a neuropeptide and hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus and subsequently stored in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a gland in the brain that regulates your hormones, along with other bodily functions. 

Oxytocin, specifically, is most often produced during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as during breastfeeding.

This hormone is thought to be responsible for the close bond formed between a mother and her child, and it's also thought to be responsible for the warm and fuzzy feelings after you've been sexually active with a partner.

This is why it is often dubbed the love hormone or cuddle hormone, because the levels of oxytocin tend to increase in the brain during instances of physical contact such as hugging, kissing, and sexual arousal. Levels of oxytocin may also increase during regular social bonding moments.

Once again, this is known as a happy hormone, just like dopamine and serotonin, because it can help better your mental state and is thought to be associated with a decrease in the severity of symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and stress.

What Happens if I Have Too Much Oxytocin?

Although having too little oxytocin in your system is the real problem, there are also some problems that are associated with having too much of it in your system. 

Elevated levels of oxytocin may trigger emotional oversensitivity in human beings, or in other words, may cause a person to overreact emotionally.

Although it is very rare for women to have higher than regular oxytocin levels, it does occur. This may result in an overactive uterus, ultimately resulting in increased uterine muscle mass or hypertrophy. This may result in the uterus not having enough space to hold a fetus.

Men with elevated oxytocin levels may suffer from BPH, otherwise known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is when the prostate grows in size. This can, in turn, make it very difficult to urinate. However, it is generally more common to have low levels as opposed to high levels.

What Happens if I Have Too Little Oxytocin?

People can have lower than normal oxytocin levels, which can be a problem for women because it may prevent milk injection and breastfeeding after birth. Although the evidence is very limited, it may also be the case that low oxytocin levels are linked to autism and various depressive symptoms.

Various studies suggest that low oxytocin levels are directly associated with symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.

Oxytocin can help reduce symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. For instance, here we have a study that suggests that oxytocin may be able to help reduce the severity of symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders. There definitely appears to be a clear link between oxytocin and anxiety and depression.

Supplements that can Help Increase Oxytocin

Seeing as low oxytocin levels are often associated with poor mental health, particularly depression, it is therefore beneficial for you to know how to increase oxytocin. Here are some of the best supplements to increase oxytocin levels.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an extremely important mineral that is found in many legumes and greens. It can also be found in various nuts and dark chocolate.

However, there are some indications that up to 48% of Americans may have magnesium deficiencies. Low magnesium levels are often associated with feelings of anxiety, depression, and reduced social connectedness.

Magnesium deficiencies may also be responsible for increased muscle tension, among other relatively serious health consequences. Luckily, there are many supplements out there that contain magnesium, and yes, magnesium can also help increase oxytocin levels.

Here is a scientific study that suggests that magnesium can play a beneficial role in relation to oxytocin levels. 

Vitamin C

When it comes to important vitamins, vitamin C is perhaps one of the most crucial of all. Vitamin C plays many vital roles in the human body.

It can potentially help reduce your risk of chronic disease, manage high blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart disease, lower blood uric acid levels, prevent iron deficiencies, boost immunity, help protect your memory, and much more.

Luckily for you, vitamin C can be found in virtually any citrus fruit, as well as in many vegetables as well.

Even better is that there are some studies out there that suggest that vitamin C may help to stimulate the secretion of oxytocin. 

Vitamin D

If you want to increase your vitamin D levels, consuming foods such as fatty fish, eggs, and mushrooms is ideal. 

However, it can be hard to come by vitamin D, which is why you might require a supplement. 

Vitamin D plays many important roles in the human body. It can help strengthen the immune system, aid in weight loss, reduce the risk of arthritis, diabetes, and other diseases, and it may also help reduce blood pressure.

It is also associated with mood. There are some studies that indicate that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased levels of depression. There are also indications that vitamin D may be able to increase oxytocin levels.

Other Natural Ways to Increase Oxytocin

Besides taking supplements, there are also other natural ways to increase oxytocin levels in the human mind and body.

Practice Yoga

One of the best ways to naturally increase oxytocin levels is by getting your yoga mat and striking some poses. 

There are some studies that show that yoga results in higher oxytocin plasma levels when compared to control groups.

Listen or Perform Music

According to this study, there is also a clear link between oxytocin levels and music. The previously mentioned study shows that performing music, specifically within a singing lesson, resulted in increased oxytocin levels. 

It also appears that social singing in a group, due to its bonding effect, may also help increase oxytocin levels. 

How Do You Increase Oxytocin Flow?

Some of the easiest ways to increase oxytocin flow include physical contact, bonding with friends, family, and loved ones, sexual activity, building positive relationships, spending time with loved pets, yoga, listening to music, meditation, acupuncture, and exercise.

Furthermore, by taking the various supplements and substances we've discussed above, it may also be possible to significantly increase your oxytocin levels.

How Do You Know if You Have Low Oxytocin?

It can be extremely difficult to tell if you have low oxytocin levels on your own. For instance, low oxytocin levels are associated with symptoms of depression. However, the issue is that a plethora of underlying factors can cause depression.

Low oxytocin levels may also be associated with poor communication, an inability to feel affectionate, anxiety, and irritability. However, just like with depression, these are all symptoms that may also be associated with a multitude of other conditions.

Therefore, the only concrete way to confirm that you have low oxytocin levels is by getting tested to see what your levels are currently like.

Supplements that Increase Oxytocin: Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that oxytocin is a very important hormone in the human body, and increasing levels of it. If nothing else works for you however, we recommend trying TUNE IN.

This is a great supplement loaded with beneficial ingredients designed to help increase cognitive function, focus, and concentration and help you be productive throughout your day. 

Increasing Oxytocin Levels: FAQs

What are 3 Ways to Create More Oxytocin?

Three ways to create more oxytocin include performing yoga, singing music, and bonding with loved ones.

What Two Things Stimulate Oxytocin?

Both magnesium and vitamin C are known for stimulating oxytocin production. Taking supplements that increase oxytocin levels is always an option.