Oxytocin is, in many ways, a love drug. The "hormone of love" works in a variety of animals when injected. A website called oxytocin.org lists a number of benefits, both physically and mentally. In Sweden, the use of massage supposedly raises oxytocin levels, creating a positive emotion.

I am totally ignorant about this hormone, and all hormones for that matter. In this world of instant pharmaceutical "solutions," I wonder if oxytocin has been used in more drugs and treatments than I could possibly imagine.

Wikipedia defines oxytocin as this:

Oxytocin (Greek: "quick birth") is a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. In women, it is released mainly after distension (sp) of the cervix and vagina during labor, and after stimulation of the nipples, facilitating birth and breastfeeding, respectively. Oxytocin is released during orgasm in both sexes. In the brain, oxytocin is involved in social recognition and bonding, and might be involved in the formation of trust between people.[1] Also, oxytocin has been known to affect the brain by regulating circadian homeostasis, such as a person's body temperature, activity level, and wakefulness [2].

It almost goes without saying that I'd love to feel the rush of such a pleasant hormone rather than spend time reading about its multitude of scientific details. For more, check out the Wikipedia page.

I'm going to guess here that chocolate may have a certain level of oxytocin, but that's a whole 'nother story worth exploring.

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