The Body System - Oxytocin

The Daily Wake Up Micro-Podcast
Episode 785 of the Final Season: Our Body System –Oxytocin.
#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #bodysystem

All week we are talking about our Body’s System based on what Simon Sinek wrote in his book, Leaders Eat Last: Our bodies employ a system of primary chemicals in our body that contribute to feelings.

These include Endorphins, Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Cortisol. Today we are focusing on Oxytocin.

Simon Sinek wrote in his book that Oxytocin is most people’s favorite chemical. It’s the feeling of friendship, love, or deep trust.  Unlike dopamine, it is a long-lasting feeling.  

Medicalnewstoday.com provides fast facts on oxytocin:

• Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and released during sex, childbirth, and lactation to aid reproductive functions.
• It has physical and psychological effects, including influencing social behavior and emotion.
• Oxytocin is prescribed as a drug for obstetric and gynecological reasons and can help in childbirth.
• Research shows that it may benefit people with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

How do we increase oxytocin? We go to our friends at Healthline.com who provide twelve ways to boost oxytocin:

1. Yoga
2. Music
3. Massage
4. Talking
5. Friends
6. Meditation
7. Listening
8. Food
9. Sex
10. Hugging
11. Kindness
12. Dogs

They admit in their bottom line that Oxytocin research isn’t conclusive, and there’s still plenty for experts to discover more about it. Oxytocin, while beneficial, isn’t a cure. It can’t repair a damaged relationship, give you empathy, or help you become more trusting on its own.