Oxytocin
Pitocin · OT · the love hormone · the bonding hormone
Popular for:Social bonding, anxiety, trust, autism research, childbirth
913
Registered Trials
2,384
Trial Publications
28,903
PubMed References
Approved
Evidence Level
Overview
Oxytocin is a 9-amino acid neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland. The short version: people usually care about it for social bonding, anxiety, trust, autism research, childbirth, but the strength of the evidence depends heavily on indication and study type.
Oxytocin is a 9-amino acid neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland. Often called the 'love hormone' or 'bonding hormone,' it plays crucial roles in social bonding, trust, empathy, sexual reproduction, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Oxytocin has been FDA-approved for decades (as Pitocin) for labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage. Intranasal oxytocin is an active area of research for social anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, PTSD, and relationship enhancement. It is one of the most extensively studied peptide hormones in human research.
Research Snapshot
What the evidence says
ApprovedOxytocin currently shows 913 registered trials from ClinicalTrials.gov, 2,384 PubMed trial publications (1,998 RCT-tagged), and 28,903 PubMed references matching the stored source query. Treat PubMed references as literature surface area, not a count of clinical trials.
Known vs uncertain
Known signals
- 913 registered trials are tracked from ClinicalTrials.gov intervention records.
- 2,384 PubMed clinical-trial publications are indexed.
- 1,998 PubMed randomized controlled trial publications are indexed.
- 28,903 PubMed references are tracked separately from trial counts and can include animal, in-vitro, review, mechanism, or clinical records.
Open questions
- Evidence strength may vary by indication, route, formulation, and population.
- Public anecdotes can highlight interest or concern but do not establish clinical efficacy.
- Regulatory status and compounding access can change independently from the research literature.
Mechanism of Action
Oxytocin acts through oxytocin receptors (OXTR) widely distributed throughout the brain and body.
Key Research Benefits
Clinical Evidence Summary
Research Pipeline
International Regulatory Status
913
Registered Trials
2,384
Trial Publications
1,998
RCT Publications
28,903
PubMed References
Registered trials are ClinicalTrials.gov intervention records. Trial publications are PubMed records tagged as clinical trials or randomized controlled trials. PubMed references are broader source-query matches and can include animal studies, in-vitro work, reviews, mechanism papers, and trial publications.
913
Registered trials
2,384
Trial publications
1,998
RCT publications
28,903
PubMed references
3,926
Reviews
321
Meta-analyses
Registered trials source
Jun 1, 2026
Oxytocin
Uses the exact compound name as a ClinicalTrials.gov intervention query.
View sourceFDA-approved as Pitocin for obstetric use. Intranasal formulations available through compounding pharmacies. One of the most studied peptide hormones in human research.
Key PubMed References
28,903 PubMed references · showing top 25 by relevance
View all on PubMedOxytocin signaling regulates maternally directed behavior during early life.
Zelmanoff DD, Bornstein R, Kaufman M, et al. · Science (New York, N.Y.) · 2025
PMID: 40934325The Role of Oxytocin in Parental Care.
Yuan Y, Gao Z, Xiao W · Endocrinology · 2025
PMID: 40856229Complexity of the Hypothalamic Oxytocin System and its Involvement in Brain Functions and Diseases.
Cui X, Xiao L · Neuroscience bulletin · 2025
PMID: 40445489Plasma pharmacokinetics of intravenous and intranasal oxytocin in nonpregnant adults.
Shafer SL, Ririe DG, Miller S, et al. · British journal of anaesthesia · 2025
PMID: 40121179Interactions of Oxytocin and Dopamine-Effects on Behavior in Health and Disease.
Petersson M, Uvnäs-Moberg K · Biomedicines · 2024
PMID: 39595007Anecdotes & Sentiment
This section summarizes what people are talking about in public sources. It can be useful for spotting questions, hype cycles, and recurring concerns, but it is separate from the evidence sections above.
No curated public-discussion themes are live for Oxytocin yet.
Side Effects & Safety
- Nausea - Nasal irritation (intranasal route) - Headache - Clinical use: uterine hyperstimulation, water intoxication at high IV doses - May increase in-group bias (studied in social psychology)
Known Interactions
No curated interaction entry is live for Oxytocin yet.
Until the interaction table is fully populated, use the interaction checker and related peptides below to explore adjacent compounds and likely research pairings.
Comparison Pages
Comparison pages
AllNo comparison page is linked yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Disclaimer
This page is for research and educational purposes only. The information presented is based on published scientific literature and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Regulatory status can vary by compound, formulation, indication, and jurisdiction. Check official labeling, registry records, and qualified professional guidance before making any health-related decision. The studies referenced are linked to their original PubMed sources for verification.