A spritz of the so-called “love hormone” might be the key to easing persistent feelings of loneliness.
In a 2014 study, a team of European and Israeli researchers tested whether oxytocin, the hormone released when people bond, hug or feel connected, could help bridge the gap for those struggling with social isolation.
The results? A nasal spray of oxytocin significantly reduced acute feelings of loneliness in participants, especially during group therapy sessions, even months after treatment.
In the study, 78 men and women were given a dose of oxytocin 30 minutes before their weekly group therapy sessions.
While the hormone didn’t drastically impact long-term measures like generally perceived loneliness, quality of life, or stress, participants who received oxytocin reported feeling less lonely in the short term compared to those on a placebo.
Notably, those who got an extra dose of the hormone also found it easier to bond with others.
“Oxytocin was able to strengthen the positive relationship with the other group members and reduce acute feelings of loneliness right from the start,” said Jana Lieberz, a faculty member at Germany’s University of Bonn and the paper’s senior author. “It could therefore be helpful to support patients with this at the start of psychotherapy.”
Despite the positive results, researchers caution against viewing oxytocin as a magic bullet. They also emphasized that therapy isn’t always necessary to reduce feelings of loneliness.
However, they noted that the study suggests that oxytocin could one day be used to play a supportive role in therapeutic settings. Further study is needed to determine whether these short-term benefits can translate into lasting change.
The feel good hormone that could help — and hurt
Oxytocin, often called the “cuddle hormone,” is produced in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland.
Positive physical connection such as hugging, kissing, and sexual intimacy have all been shown to trigger the hormone’s release. Other pleasurable activities, such as exercising, listening to music or spending time with animals, have also been shown to boost oxytocin levels.
Because it has been associated with relationship building and positive feelings, there is growing interest in using oxytocin as a treatment for various mental health conditions.
Research suggests that elevated levels of the hormone can contribute to a better mood and reduce anxiety by calming the brain’s fear center, the amygdala. Oxytocin has also been linked to a drop in stress hormones like cortisol, leading to a calming effect.
“Scientists have suggested that oxytocin may play a role in stress by interfering with the sympathetic nervous system’s fight fright and flight response — such that the person under threat can stand their ground as opposed to fighting or fleeing,” Dr. Deborah Lee, a sexual and reproductive health specialist, told Live Science.
But oxytocin isn’t always the cure-all it’s made out to be. In fact, its effects can be unpredictable.
Depending on the social environment and emotional context, research suggests that oxytocin might actually heighten emotional sensitivity. When people experience negative interactions or have excessively high levels of the hormone, it can sometimes trigger anxiety, instead of providing relief.
“We used to think this is the kind of hormone that always makes people feel good and happy, and that’s really not the case,” Lily Brown, director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania, told HealthCentral. “It actually seems like it raises our attention to salient cues, positive or negative.”
A growing crisis
The timing of the research into oxytocin’s effects on loneliness couldn’t be more urgent, as social isolation continues to plague the United States. The problem, already on the rise, was made worse by the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdowns that followed, forcing millions into extended periods of isolation.
According to a 2024 poll from the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 30% of U.S. adults reported feeling lonely at least once a week in the past year, and 10% said they felt lonely every single day. Younger people were particularly at risk.
The stakes are high. In 2023, then-US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared loneliness a public health crisis, warning it is just as dangerous as smoking or obesity.
Studies show that loneliness increases the risk of premature death, while also contributing to heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, addiction, dementia, and high blood pressure. The physical toll doesn’t end there: elevated stress hormones from loneliness have also been shown to lead to tighter blood vessels and increased blood pressure.
Mentally, the effects are equally devastating. Loneliness has been shown to raise the risk of depression, anxiety, and even suicide.
