The Power Of Oxytocin in Healing
Five unexpected ways “love hormone” helps you recover sooner
The study of the human endocrine system is peculiar; especially, as you think about the extent to which hormones influence your mood, metabolism, sexual function, growth, sleep, and intellectual potential. Like Lego blocks, hormones connect into a coercive picture inside your body, protecting you from stress and injuries.
When you ponder over all these constructor pieces, little attention do you pay, however, to oxytocin. One of the most prolific hormones present in the human organism, oxytocin, is erroneously underestimated, being equivalated solely to the “love chemical.” While the release of oxytocin is rightly associated with intimacy, its effect reaches out far beyond cuddling.
Here are the five ways oxytocin steps in the healing game you don’t usually think about:
Oxytocin improves sleep
Even a fifteen-minute release of the hormone leads to an improved sleep routine. Patients who received a hug from a significant other while being sick repeatedly reported fewer nightmares, prolonged, non-intervened night sleep, and comparatively less time needed to fall asleep. Regardless of the illness, better sleep allows the human body to recover sooner with internal organs at rest and toxins eliminated overnight.
Oxytocin boosts the immune system through the adrenaline rush
The first release of oxytocin in the human body is frequently accompanied by the adrenaline rush. Feeling either as a butterfly effect from the first sensual touch of your beloved one or a caring hug from a friend, oxytocin moves the blood a little faster in your veins, boosting your immune system. Equal to a short session of physical exercises, oxytocin rush mobilizes the protective forces of your body, which is essentially what you need to recover.
Oxytocin reduces stress level
Long known as a factor closely related to illness, stress level reduces significantly after the release of the oxytocin. The rush of the hormone during prolonged cuddling and touch, first, leads to improved social bonding and an increased sense of protection, later resulting in lower stress levels.
Oxytocin relaxes tense muscles and lowers blood pressure
Along with the reduced stress levels and improved sleep achieved through cuddling, the oxytocin release has another important function. Tense, sore muscles after the injury, back pain, and high blood pressure are common side effects of the illness. Surprisingly, an oxytocin rush during a fifteen-minute hug provides a temporary release of all the three symptoms, leaving a patient relaxed and rested.
Oxytocin releases pain
Similar to endorphin, oxytocin is associated with pain release. Explained mainly through the prism of lowered stress levels, higher connectivity, and an increased sense of protection, this function of the hormone is reported by patients who received a prolonged hug or a forehead kiss during the illness.
Undeniably, old-school antibiotics still do their job of killing bacterias and quickly reducing fever, but at the end of the day, what can be better than a long, caring hug with a handful of oxytocin?
Hi! My name is Maryna, and I am an aspired content writer. My philosophy behind writing is simple: you need to believe in what you write and write what you believe in. Let’s connect at LinkedIn and share meaningful stories together.
