Oxytocin
A century of research, a Nobel prize for its synthesis, and still a standard reference substance.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Peptide, 9 amino acids |
| Origin | Made in the hypothalamus |
| Research field | Social behaviour, bonding, stress |
| Research status | Approved medicine for obstetric use |
| Form | Freeze dried powder |
What it is
A natural hormone made in the hypothalamus and released through the pituitary. In 1953 it was the first peptide hormone whose sequence was determined and then reproduced in the lab, which earned a Nobel prize.
How it works
It acts on the oxytocin receptor, among other places in the uterus and in several brain regions. In behavioural research it is used to look at recognition, trust and bonding.
What the research shows
For obstetric use it is a registered medicine. The behavioural research is extensive but its results are less clear cut than popular coverage suggests; replication is a well known sticking point here.
Research status
Approved for a specific medical use; the research product is not that.
Practical
A short chain with a sulphur bridge in it. Keeps well as a powder, less so in solution.
This site is made by the team behind Apex Bio Research, a Dutch supplier of research peptides with a certificate of analysis per batch.
Visit the shopThis site explains what the scientific literature says about peptides. It is not medical advice and not a set of instructions. The substances discussed here are research compounds: they are not approved for use in humans or animals. If you have a health question, see a doctor.