PubMed
Intranasal oxytocin in humans: a review of neurobiological and behavioral effects
Striepens et al., 2013
Hormonal & EndocrineFDA ApprovedA
Oxytocin
Pitocin / Love Hormone
Oxytocin is an FDA-approved 9-amino acid neuropeptide hormone naturally produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. FDA-approved as Pitocin for labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage. Extensively researched for social bonding, trust, autism spectrum disorder, PTSD, anxiety, and metabolic effects. Intranasal oxytocin is widely studied; availability through compounding pharmacies and telehealth.
Observational report only — live community data. Not medical advice. Does not recommend doses, protocols, or treatments.
- Studies cited
- 6
- Research grade
- A
- Experience
- 56
- Activity
- 60
Overall check-ins
Trackers & reports
Overview
About Oxytocin
Oxytocin is an FDA-approved 9-amino acid neuropeptide hormone naturally produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. FDA-approved as Pitocin for labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage. Extensively researched for social bonding, trust, autism spectrum disorder, PTSD, anxiety, and metabolic effects. Intranasal oxytocin is widely studied; availability through compounding pharmacies and telehealth.
- Category
- Hormonal & Endocrine
- Regulatory status
- FDA Approved
- Also known as
- Pitocin / Love Hormone
- Self-reports
- 30
Community
What 30 users report
30 community reports
Overall experience
From check-in ratings — separate from side effects logged below. Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Favorable 2% · Mixed 98% · Unfavorable overall 0%
Most reported benefits
Benefits users selected when logging a favorable or mixed check-in.
Mood
179
Most logged side effects
Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Nausea
59
Headache
59
Anxiety
58
Self-reported dose per injection
Median bucket: 25–50 mcg · Most common: 25–50 mcg
Reports span 0–400 mcg
0–25
58
25–50
116
50–100
1
100–200
3
200–400
1
Anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users — not prescribing guidance. Buckets group similar logged amounts; open-ended top buckets mean “at least” that dose.
Commonly stacked with
How repeat users are trending
Among repeat reporters, 89% said they felt similar to their last entry, 11% more positive, and 0% more negative.
Overall, repeat reporters leaned more positive than their previous entry.
Median gap between entries: 175 days · Based on 27 repeat reporters
Research
Cited research (4)
Source
FDA Drug Label
PITOCIN (oxytocin) injection — Prescribing Information
Par, 2014
PubMed
Social support and oxytocin interact to suppress cortisol and subjective responses to psychosocial stress
Heinrichs et al., 2003
PubMed
Intranasal oxytocin as a treatment for anxiety and autism: From subclinical to clinical applications
Yin et al., 2024
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Frequently asked
What do PeptIQ users report about Oxytocin?
This page summarizes 30 anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users who track Oxytocin, including commonly reported effects and co-tracked peptides. These are observational patterns, not clinical outcomes.
How do side effects relate to overall experience for Oxytocin?
PeptIQ separates overall check-in ratings (favorable, mixed, or unfavorable) from logged side effects like nausea or fatigue. Users often report benefits and side effects in the same check-in — a high experience score does not mean zero side effects were noted.
What research is cited for Oxytocin?
4 sources are linked on this page, including PubMed articles, clinical trial registries, and FDA labels where applicable. Citations describe published research — not recommendations.
Is Oxytocin safe to use?
This wiki does not assess safety or recommend use. Oxytocin is listed as FDA Approved. Consult a licensed clinician for personal medical decisions.
What are the purported benefits and uses of Oxytocin?
Research, primarily in animal models, suggests Oxytocin may have a wide range of therapeutic potentials due to its ability to promote angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), stimulate collagen synthesis, and modulate inflammatory responses.
SourceWhat is the legal status of Oxytocin?
Oxytocin is not approved by the FDA for any human use. There is no legal basis for selling it as a drug, food, or dietary supplement in the United States. The FDA has classified Oxytocin as a Category 2 bulk drug substance, which explicitly prohibits licensed compounding pharmacies from using it in compounded medications.
SourceWhat are the known or theoretical side effects and risks of Oxytocin?
The safety and effectiveness of Oxytocin have not been thoroughly evaluated in humans through rigorous clinical trials. This lack of human data means that safe dosages, short-term side effects, and long-term health consequences are largely unknown.
SourceWhat is the current state of research on Oxytocin?
While there are over 200 published studies on Oxytocin, the vast majority are animal or in vitro (cell) studies. These preclinical studies consistently show positive results across various tissue types. However, there is a significant lack of comprehensive human clinical trial data.
Source