Peptide
Oxytocin
SaveA nine-amino-acid neuropeptide hormone involved in social bonding, uterine contraction, and milk ejection. FDA-approved for labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage.
Quick verdict
Well-established pharmaceutical with decades of obstetric use. Intranasal forms are studied for social cognition, autism, and anxiety with mixed results.
Evidence score
A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.
What the research shows
Extensive clinical use in obstetrics. Intranasal oxytocin research for social cognition and psychiatry has produced inconsistent results in RCTs despite popular interest.
Benefits
- FDA-approved for labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage
- Well-characterized safety profile in obstetric use
- Some evidence for improved social cognition in specific populations
Dosage notes
Obstetric: IV titration per hospital protocol. Intranasal research: 24–40 IU per dose.
Side effects
- Uterine hyperstimulation (IV)
- Water intoxication at high doses
- Nausea
- Headache
- Nasal irritation (intranasal)
Who should be cautious
IV oxytocin requires medical supervision due to uterine hyperstimulation and water-intoxication risk. Intranasal safety for chronic use is not established.
What this page cannot tell you
Obstetric use is well validated. Psychiatric and social-cognition applications remain investigational with mixed trial results.
Leaderboard scores
- Mood35
- Anxiety30
- Stress28
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