OXYTOCIN: THE HORMONE OF LOVE

Abstract

Oxytocin was discovered by the great Italian scientist Nicholas Farraye in the year1835. Apart from the well-known function of uterine contraction and milk ejection, it is said to play a significant role in creating an effective bond between mother and child, in trusting people, maintain eye to eye contact during a conversation. Pitocin and Syntocin are the commonly used drugs, the chemical similarity to Oxytocin makes them an ideal choice of drug for various cases for example at the time if parturition. Oxytocin is a potent molecule with a unique and unusually broad profile of biological and behavioral effects. Oxytocin acts upon receptors and tissues that are ancient and have evolved many functions. Hence, in this review we discussed the pharmacological role of Oxytocin, social effects of Oxytocin in humans, Oxytocin pathways and evolution of human behaviour, the chemistry of love and neurobiology of love.