Focus & mood · Hormones & fertility
Oxytocin, simplified.
Also called Pitocin, "the bonding hormone"
Approved RxA nine-amino-acid hormone involved in bonding, trust and childbirth. Approved to start labor, and studied as a nasal spray for social connection and mood.
- Size
- 9 amino acids
- How it is taken
- Injection or nasal spray
- Status
- FDA-approved for labor
- Available sizes
- Vials: 2 mg, 10 mg
What is it?
Your brain releases oxytocin during touch, closeness, sex, childbirth and breastfeeding. It helps social bonding and lowers stress responses.
Got a vial? See how it mixes
Tap your vial size to watch how it is mixed and see exactly what each mark on the syringe holds.
Official prescribing information
Pitocin is FDA-approved. The official label shows how it was dosed in the trials that led to approval, along with warnings and who should not use it.
Doses on the label are for the approved product under a prescriber’s care. Talk with your doctor before starting anything.
What studies show
- In peopleIt is routinely used in hospitals to start or strengthen labor.
- In peopleNasal spray studies on trust and social behavior have had mixed results, and a large trial in children with autism found no benefit.
What we don’t know yet
- Whether nasal oxytocin reliably helps mood or relationships in adults.
Side effects and cautions
- Nasal use is generally well tolerated in studies.
- Must not be used during pregnancy outside medical care, since it can trigger contractions.
Is it legal?
FDA-approved for use in labor. Other uses are off-label.
Dosage & schedule evidence
How to read published schedules
Approved oxytocin products have specific indications and routes. Follow current official product labeling and clinician guidance; third-party schedules are not a substitute.
| Measurement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 mg | 1,000 mcg (mass) |
| 100 U-100 units | 1 mL (volume, not dose) |
See third-party published protocols ↗ for research context. North Star does not validate these schedules.
Consult your doctor before considering any peptide for personal use. Educational only, not administration guidance.
Common questions
What is Oxytocin?
A nine-amino-acid hormone involved in bonding, trust and childbirth. Approved to start labor, and studied as a nasal spray for social connection and mood. Your brain releases oxytocin during touch, closeness, sex, childbirth and breastfeeding. It helps social bonding and lowers stress responses.
What does the research say about Oxytocin?
It is routinely used in hospitals to start or strengthen labor. Nasal spray studies on trust and social behavior have had mixed results, and a large trial in children with autism found no benefit.
Is Oxytocin FDA approved?
FDA-approved for use in labor. Other uses are off-label.
What are the side effects of Oxytocin?
Nasal use is generally well tolerated in studies. Must not be used during pregnancy outside medical care, since it can trigger contractions.
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This page explains published research in plain language. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything, and it does not give dosing. Most peptides here are not FDA-approved, and products sold online vary widely in purity. Rules around peptides are changing, so check the current status and talk with a licensed clinician before starting anything. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.