It is known that the hormones of happiness they promote positive feelings such as pleasure, well-being and love. The hormones and neurotransmitters They play an essential role in various processes, such as balancing heart rate and digestion, and also help improve moods and feelings. It is exactly what some people look for when they use oxytocinknown as “hormone of love”, in aerosol.
“I was very easily annoyed and anything was a fuse for me. So I decided to use the drug on my own,” says Larissa Coelho, a 37-year-old Brazilian who currently lives in Mexico.
I also read: Valentine’s Day: oxytocin, the powerful “love hormone”
Coelho says that he actually felt great following using the spray, but eventually gave it up because of its short duration and a side effect. “It was very good, only it was annoying for the nasal cavity. And it got even worse because I have rhinitis. I decided to try to manipulate a higher dose so I wouldn’t have to keep using it all the time, but it hurt me in the long run,” he admits.
In 2011, a study by the Concordia University of Canada proved that a nasal formulation of oxytocin helped to overcome shyness. Since then, several laboratories have released oxytocin spray that they sell under that promise. However, more scientific evidence is lacking to show that the spray can alter mood or promote more pleasure.
what is oxytocin
Oxytocin is produced by a region of the brain called hypothalamussays the gynecologist and obstetrician Karla Giusti of the Hospital São Luiz Itaim of the Red D’or São Luiz de Brasil.
“She is in charge of promoting uterine contractions, acting in labor and postpartum, to reduce bleeding following the birth of the baby and increase the release of breast milk,” says the specialist. In addition, the hormone also helps in the bone metabolismparticipates in the orgasm mechanism, acts in social relations and reduces fear.
It is precisely because it is related to these situations and is released when we are close to someone that oxytocin has been dubbed the “love hormone”. Along with other neurotransmitters related to sensation such as serotonin, dopamine and endorphinIt also reduces cortisol levels, which is the cause of stress and anxiety.
Because of its effect on childbirth and lactation, scientists have developed a synthetic version of oxytocin to help women experiencing difficulties on these occasions.
“When labor does not progress, we do an intravenous infusion of oxytocin to induce and help increase uterine contractions,” says endocrinologist Mauro Antonio Czepielewski, director of the Department of Neuroendocrinology at SBEM (Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology).
Experts do not recommend using the medicine to feel better, as there are endogenous circulation of the hormone in the body, that is, we produce it naturally. The prospectus, even, does not indicate any benefit in this sense, and still warns of adverse effects: patients can end up irritating the nasal cavity with excessive use.
Indiscriminate use can also cause headaches, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, uterine cramps, and even gastrointestinal disorders. It is necessary to inhale a large part of the product to reach this point, but there are cases in which the patient increases the dose as they do not feel the effects they want until the end suffering from side effects.
Doctors recommendation? Seek professional help in case of any mental or sexual disorder, never resorting to self-medication.
