Infatuation Rules
Photo by RODNAE Productions Pexels Logo Photo: RODNAE Productions

What hormones cause love?

Oxytocin: The love hormone.

Is one date per week too much?
Is one date per week too much?

Recommended. “There is no right or wrong answer, it's really up to you,” says Natasha Briefel at dating app Badoo. “Locking in a date a week is a...

Read More »
What are 3 warning signs of psychological stress?
What are 3 warning signs of psychological stress?

Warnings signs of stress in adults may include: Crying spells or bursts of anger. Difficulty eating. Losing interest in daily activities....

Read More »

July 20, 2021

Oxytocin can help us bond with loved ones and can be released through touch, music and exercise. Oxytocin is a hormone that’s produced in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. Its main function is to facilitate childbirth, which is one of the reasons it is called the "love drug" or "love hormone." Oxytocin both stimulates the muscles of the uterus to contract, and boosts the production of prostaglandins, which also increase uterine contractions. Women whose labor is slow to proceed are sometimes given oxytocin to speed the process. Once the baby is born, oxytocin helps to move milk from the ducts in the breast to the nipple, and foster a bond between mom and baby. Our bodies also produce oxytocin when we’re excited by our sexual partner, and when we fall in love. That’s why it has earned the nicknames, "love hormone" and "cuddle hormone."

How to increase oxytocin

Low oxytocin levels have been linked to symptoms of depression, including postpartum depression. Researchers have been studying whether giving oxytocin in a pill or nasal spray might help to ease anxiety and depression, but so far the results have been disappointing. In part, that’s because it’s hard for this hormone to slip across the blood-brain barrier. A more promising way to boost oxytocin naturally is with exercise. One study noted a jump in oxytocin levels measured in participants’ saliva after high-intensity martial arts training. Music also seems to have the ability to increase oxytocin levels, especially when people sing in a group, which adds the element of bonding. Just the simple act of touch seems boost oxytocin release. Giving someone a massage, cuddling, making love, or giving someone a hug leads to higher levels of this hormone and a greater sense of well-being. Oxytocin is just one of the four feel-good hormones. To learn more about the others and how they work, head to the beginning of this series.

What is principle of true love?
What is principle of true love?

Being deeper than intellect, emotion, and will, heart motivates the loving subject to think, feel, and act for the happiness of the beloved object....

Read More »
What's the shortest TikTok video?
What's the shortest TikTok video?

At first, TikTok videos could only be up to 15 seconds long, but the company recently extended the limit to 60 seconds when you string 4 15-second...

Read More »

What is the number 1 emotion?

Happiness. Of all the different types of emotions, happiness tends to be the one that people strive for the most.

There are many different types of emotions that have an influence on how we live and interact with others. At times, it may seem like we are ruled by these emotions. The choices we make, the actions we take, and the perceptions we have are all influenced by the emotions we are experiencing at any given moment. Psychologists have also tried to identify the different types of emotions that people experience. A few different theories have emerged to categorize and explain the emotions that people feel.

Basic Emotions

During the 1970s, psychologist Paul Eckman identified six basic emotions that he suggested were universally experienced in all human cultures. The emotions he identified were happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, and anger. He later expanded his list of basic emotions to include such things as pride, shame, embarrassment, and excitement.

Verywell / JR Bee

Combining Emotions

Psychologist Robert Plutchik put forth a "wheel of emotions" that worked something like the color wheel. Emotions can be combined to form different feelings, much like colors can be mixed to create other shades. According to this theory, the more basic emotions act something like building blocks. More complex, sometimes mixed emotions, are blendings of these more basic ones. For example, basic emotions such as joy and trust can be combined to create love. A 2017 study suggests that there are far more basic emotions than previously believed. In the study published in Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, researchers identified 27 different categories of emotion. Rather than being entirely distinct, however, the researchers found that people experience these emotions along a gradient. Let's take a closer look at some of the basic types of emotions and explore the impact they have on human behavior.

Where in the Bible does it say put your trust in God not man?
Where in the Bible does it say put your trust in God not man?

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humanity.” (Psalm 118:8) Nov 4, 2022

Read More »
What causes men to pull away?
What causes men to pull away?

Men pull away due to multiple reasons ranging from fears, insecurities, or anxieties to desperation or loss of love. It is crucial for you to...

Read More »
What is love detachment?
What is love detachment?

According to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, detachment with love means caring enough about others to allow them to learn from their mistakes....

Read More »
What do you say before I love you?
What do you say before I love you?

Tell Them How You Feel About Them "You mean more to me every single day." 2. " ... "I really care so much about you." 4. “ ... "I really love how...

Read More »