Question

When you hug someone, is oxytocin released?

Answer 1

Hello @AnnalieseBronz !

Answer 2

Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for stimulation of lactation in human females.

Answer 3

It is also responsible for onset of labor at the end of pregnancy. It induces intense contractions in the uterus. Due to these, foetus starts moving towards vagina. It is also called as parturition hormone.

Answer 4

The former is called as Foetal ejection reflex and later one is called as Milk ejection reflex.

Answer 5

Got it ?

Answer 6

@Abhisar When we hug someone, is anything released at all?

Answer 7

One more thing,
After copulation oxytocin hormone is secreted, it promotes the peristalsis in the fallopian tube & uterus. Due to this the semen is sucked into fallopian tube.

Answer 8

Besides these oxytocin have many psychological effects too like, sexual arousal, maternal behaviour etc. So yes it is possible that while hugging oxytocin is released.

Answer 9

Getting my points ?

Answer 10

@thomaster

Answer 11

@aaronq

Answer 12

these are all very nice definitions of when and where oxytocin is released....but not answering the question =)

it is believed that oxytocin plays a role in all kinds of social interactions. as many hormones in our body, it serves a vast variety of purposes. there is no good scientific study (that I know of) that investigates the act of hugging someone. but it is known that oxytocin also takes part in the kind of affection that is not sex-driven. so I would think that oxytocin should be released when you're hugging someone.

the quantity, of course, I would expect to be dependent on the hugged person.

Answer 13

Wouldn't it depend on if you wanted the hug or liked the person or were afraid of the person or hated them? One hug may produce oxytocin where the other produces cortisol lol

Answer 14

agree :D @Cosmichaotic !

Answer 15

love is released.....

Answer 16

that is correct.

but on the other hand, auxin causes growth and senescence as well =) I was just trying to straighten your (absolutely correct) information out, so that the asker can clearly see what's right and what isn't.

there is, of course, the possibility that oxytocin is released no matter what. the nature of hormones implicates that they cannot be absolutely controlled by the brain - in other words: we don't choose consciously whom we like. I'm just speculating here.

Answer 17

@Schleifspur What do u mean by auxin causes growth and senescence as well ?
Auxins are plant hormones !