OXYTOCIN - what is it?

a hormone secreted by thethe pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain

It acts both as a hormone and as a brain neurotransmitter.

when is it produced?

it is produced during labour, breastfeeding, and sex.  small amounts also are released in hugging or kissing.

fun fact: High levels of the "love hormone" have been observed in couples in the first six months of a relationship.

• it is often produced by women to regulate childbirth                                                                               and breastfeeding. 

• The release of oxytocin is triggered by the widening of the cervix and vagina during labor, and this effect is then increased by the contractions that follow. it influences your behaviour in the situations that cause it's release, as demonstrated in my previous example.

• it is very much involved in romantic attachment, empathy, and trust

• IT also reduces stress and anxiety, and can be prescribed

why is it produced?

who produces

oxytocin?

• men and women.

• men don't need as much, as they don't breastfeed or give birth but oxycotin helps to from the romantic and emotional bonds between men and their partners.

• studies show men who took oxytocin through a pill had decreased chances of cheating: they saw it as both less tempting and more morally wrong.

• women are made more sociable with oxytocin, while men become more competitive. 

how is oxytocin

produced?

Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and is secreted into the bloodstream when cells are released into the bloodstream in reaction to sexual excitement or physical contact with someone attractive

images.

a - injectable oxytocin

B - CHEMICAL MAKEUP OF OXYTOCIN

C - FUN FACT: PEOPLE OFTEN GET TATTOOS OF THE CHEMICAL MAKEUP OF OXYTOCIN BECAUSE IT IS THE 'LOVE CHEMICAL'

A

B

C

activity 

WHERE IS OXYTOCIN BEING RELEASED?

1) emma and luke are in love have been together 3 months 

2) AIDAN IS HUGGING HIS BABY BROTHER

3) A COUPLE ARE KISSING

4) katy HAS RECENTLY GIVEN BIRTH AND IS BREASTFEEDING

6) KEITH AND LUCY, TWO BEST FRIENDS, ARE HUGGING

7) jaden has been considering CHEATING ON HIS WIFE

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

NHS.CO.UK

MEDICALNEWSTODAY.COM

NEJM.ORG

PSYCHOLOGYTODAY.COM