5 Supplements for Oxytocin: Boost the Love Hormone Naturally

We all know that feeling of being truly connected to someone else – whether it be a friend, family member, or romantic partner. It's a feeling that can be hard to describe, but it's often referred to as "love" or "happiness." But what if there was a scientific explanation behind this feeling? 

It turns out that the hormone oxytocin is responsible for this feeling of connection and closeness. Oxytocin helps to promote trust, empathy, and social bonding. It also has a wide range of other benefits, including improved cognitive performance and increased stress resilience.

If you’re looking to unlock the power of oxytocin, there are several supplements that you can use to increase your levels of the neurotransmitter. From amino acids like L-theanine to vitamins like D3 and B6, these supplements can help to boost oxytocin in your body. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five supplements that you need to try to raise your oxytocin levels, as well as other ways to boost oxytocin levels naturally. 

The Benefits of Oxytocin for Mental Health

Oxytocin promotes feelings of connectedness, trust, and intimacy. As human beings, we need to feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to thrive. Studies have found that low levels of oxytocin have been linked with anxiety and depression. When oxytocin is released, your mental health is improved by fostering feelings of security and belonging.

Additionally, oxytocin helps regulate physiological stress levels by lowering blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol (1).

Supplements to Increase Oxytocin Levels

1. Magnesium

Magnesium, specifically Magnesium L-Threonate, is one of the best supplements for increasing oxytocin levels. Studies have found that low magnesium may be associated with feelings of anxiety and reduced social connectedness, especially in women. Some studies suggest that up to 48% of Americans have low levels of magnesium.

Magnesium deficiency may also be behind muscle tension, so it could help to relax your muscles and facilitate relaxation, allowing you to feel more relaxed and at ease in social situations.

Magnesium is an important mineral that is crucial for numerous bodily functions, including the metabolism of hormones like oxytocin. Magnesium rich foods include spinach, dark chocolate, avocado, and nuts like cashews and almonds, however it is often beneficial to add in magnesium supplements. 

2. Vitamin B6

B vitamins, specifically B6 are crucial for the conversion of the amino acid tryptophan into our “happy hormones” like oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin is a hormone that can help to regulate mood, promote feelings of calm, and induce sleep. B6 can also help to reduce feelings of stress, allowing you to feel more relaxed and in control. B6 also helps to promote feelings of trust, as well as sleep, which is so important for mental wellbeing. 

3. L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. While many people know that green tea is healthy, very few people know that it also has a powerful effect on the brain. In particular, L-Theanine has been shown to play a role in the promotion of feelings of connection and empathy, which can boost oxytocin. L-Theanine is believed to have nootropic effects, which can also help to increase cognitive function and promote mental clarity, which is why we put 90mg of L-Theanine in our Mood Chews!

4. GABA

GABA is short for gamma-aminobutyric acid, and is both an amino acid and the body’s primary calming neurotransmitter, so it can help promote feelings of calm and relaxation. This compound has been shown to play a role in the regulation of oxytocin. It also helps the brain filter out nonessential sensory information, sort of like blocking out background noise. By doing this, it allows the brain to deal with the most important sensory information, leading to improved mental focus and reduced anxiety.

5. Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is another very important nutrient for oxytocin production. Vitamin D comes from the sun, and high levels of vitamin D are linked to increased feelings of happiness and lower levels of depression.

In addition to getting your daily dose of sunshine and a supplement to increase your Vitamin D levels, you can also consume vitamin D-rich foods such as mushrooms, eggs, and fatty fish.

Try our Oxytocin Boost Bundle, complete with all the nutrients you need to boost oxytocin levels!

Other Ways to Boost Oxytocin Levels Naturally

1. Sexual Activity

Whether you’re alone or with a partner, sex and orgasm increases the release of oxytocin in both men and women. But take into consideration- studies have shown that frequent use of porn ultimately dysregulates levels of dopamine (2).

2. Listening to Music

Studies show that music—hearing it, making it, or moving to it—can help increase oxytocin levels in the brain. You may have discovered this link already by putting on some music to help reduce those distracting thoughts and make falling asleep easier, or belting it out to your favorite ballad in the car. So go ahead, dance like no one’s watching!

3. Meditation

Researchers found that meditation, especially when it focuses on feelings of altruism and appreciation, led to an increase in salivary oxytocin levels. Meditation also has been shown to promote emotional health, attention and self-awareness (3). 

4. Help Others

Doing something nice for someone else may boost oxytocin, according to studies. This "pay it forward" behavior taps into rewarding feelings of compassion and empathy. Plus, it makes the world around us a more caring place. We love a random act of kindness!

Takeaways

Many benefits can come with increasing your levels of oxytocin, including improved mental health, increased well-being, better relationships, and increased levels of trust and connection with other people. These are just some of the ways that you can boost your levels of oxytocin. But what is even more important than the benefits of increasing your levels of oxytocin is the fact that it can be done naturally and easily. By using supplements, you can get a quick boost of the hormone, and when you boost your levels naturally, you can reap these benefits for years to come.