Oxytocin was first discovered in 1906, when Sir Henry Dale extracted the neuropeptide from the posterior pituitary gland. This substance was later called oxytocin – oxy- meaning acid or sharp, and -tocin meaning birth; (however it has been suggested that it should have been ocytocin, as ocy- means fast, and as originally used oxytocin refers to the process of a swift birth). Language aside, Sir Dale found that the extract caused uterine contractions in cats, and as early as 1911 the substance was used to induce labour in women.
Over the last two decades though the research into oxytocin has increased significantly, and with it our understanding that this essential hormone affects us in so many more ways throughout our lives.
Oxytocin is often called the “love hormone”, and is known for bonding, caregiving and, of course, child birth. However there is a greater understanding now about how oxytocin is needed for more than just motherhood.
There is a lot of research now about the importance of the first 1000 days in a child’s life, with a wide range of effects. Oxytocin is one of those neurochemicals that is so important in this time and rewires the brain. While we think of oxytocin for the mother, for birth and breastfeeding, responsive parenting also wires the baby’s brain. It’s not just breastfeeding either, skin to skin contact with either parent will stimulate the oxytocin release. This early exposure to oxytocin helps model a brain that is more resilient to stress.
Oxytocin has been looked at for bonding on a social level, and postulated as useful for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). In ASD, giving oxytocin helped children, adolescents and adults recognise emotions in others both understanding how they were feeling as well as recognising facial expressions. Likewise people with GAD had less anxiety and nervous system dysregulation after taking oxytocin.
So why is oxytocin so useful for anxiety? Because it can inhibit the stressful pathways, reduce the perception of threats, and also promote the social interactions that provide support in stressful situations. However, when there has been stress and trauma, then there may not be enough internal production of oxytocin, or the receptors may be less responsive to the calming effects.
Let’s talk about motherhood. The brain itself remodels during pregnancy to facilitate this need for oxytocin and bonding. This remodelling makes mothers more aware of social and emotional cues, and when baby comes will help differentiate the meanings of different types of crying. It up regulates its own synthesis and release, and this is important in childbirth. In childbirth, oxytocin will stimulate the contractions of the uterus, and is important for both initiating and continuing with labour. However, if you do not feel safe, or you are at all stressed, it is hard to produce oxytocin, and there can be problems with progressing in labour.
After birth, oxytocin will also help the placenta be expelled, and it also triggers the let-down reflex, allowing milk ejection for breastfeeding, and help with that bonding with baby.
Oxytocin is not just a female hormone, men need it too, and it also promotes bonding, empathy and social connections and trust. It may also help with fertility, supporting sperm motility and ability to fertilise the ovum.
Oxytocin is released during orgasm, ejaculation for men, nipple stimulation in breastfeeding, labour in birth, as well as in intense exercise, severe pain and shock. While the first ones it that list are well known, the later ones seem contradictory – until we understand that oxytocin is working to calm the body and reduce inflammation. They have even found high levels in cases of ovarian cancer, showing it is an important part of the immune response to reduce inflammation around the site of the tumour.
Oxytocin the homeopathic remedy
I have used oxytocin for a case of post partum rheumatoid arthritis, where prior to birth there were some stressful family events, then labour did not progress (not enough oxytocin) resulting in a caesarean section, and after birth Mum did not feel connected to the baby. All of those symptoms resolved after the oxytocin. She did have some Pulsatilla for symptomatic relief, and had already been prescribed medication, but had no relief from this, and planned to discontinue as soon as possible.
However, having learned more about oxytocin, I am considering other times I could use this remedy, in a low potency for its supportive effect. Particularly if there is a history of trauma or stress in childhood which could have led to impaired oxytocin priming at that age.
In the homeopathic literature, there are a number of symptoms seen in the remedy.
There are feelings of being alone, and no contact with others, and a desire to be loved and touched. They may feel disconnected, lack trust in others and have low self confidence. There could have been an early trauma, which has caused this loss of trust and a fear of getting hurt. This may be seen as anxiety and an overactive fight or flight reflex.
There can also be anger, jealousy and envy, to the point of gloating over others’ misfortune. I can see this fit because they are missing the connection and empathy that comes with endogenous oxytocin, and so are selfish and lack caring of others thoughts. Ton Jansen also notes there is biofeedback between oxytocin and testosterone, and when testosterone is raised and maintained by addiction to porn or violent games or media, the oxytocin will be too low and this can be a negative cycle.
There can be problems with concentration – it is indicated for ADHD and ASD – and they may be precocious and ahead of their peers with language or speech.
Oxytocin can be indicated when there are feeding problems – in newborns this could be an inability to latch or feed well, but could also be seen in adults who have eating issues. It is also suggested when there is an intense mother child attachment and concern that the child is not eating enough, or the child may refuse to eat.
Physically we need to consider oxytocin homoeopathically when there are problems in labour, either with contractions that are too weak (compare to Caulophyllum), or those that are too strong and frequent. If there are issues with breast feeding, including milk not coming in and anxiety about this (if anxiety is high chances are that oxytocin is too low).
Oxytocin the remedy has a lot of polarities in their symptoms:
- They may sleep deeply, or have difficulty sleeping
- They may crave touch, or be averse to being touched
- They may have a poor appetite and lose weight, or comfort eat and put on weight
- There could be a sense of pressure in the chest, or a sensation of expansion
It may also be indicated for cramping and diarrhoea, or prolonged bedwetting in children.
Alize Zimmerman notes that Oxytocin the remedy is similar to Placenta, Lac Humanum, Opium and Nux Vomica, and all can be indicated for baby and Mum when there have been interventions or medications used during the birth process.
For me, the takeaway for Oxytocin is that it is much broader than just childbirth and breastfeeding, and that I need to consider this as a remedy, perhaps comparing with the matridonals, when there has been an trauma during birth or when there are connection problems stemming from childhood. The applications for anxiety, particularly when there is a lack of safety or trust have a great potential to do so much good, and homeopathic oxytocin in a low potency will be a safe way to work on this.