Oxytocin
Nonapeptide neurohypophyseal hormone (9-amino-acid cyclic peptide)
Oxytocin is an endogenous nine-amino-acid neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary. The injectable form (Pitocin/Syntocinon) is FDA-approved for labor induction and postpartum use, while intranasal oxytocin is widely researched for social bonding, trust, and anxiety.
Mechanism under study
Binds the oxytocin receptor (a G-protein-coupled receptor) in uterine and mammary smooth muscle (uterine contraction, milk let-down) and across brain regions implicated in social cognition, pair bonding, and stress modulation. Whether and how intranasal delivery reaches central targets remains an active research question.
Research-reported dosing
Two distinct contexts: the approved obstetric IV form is dosed in milliunits per minute under clinical supervision, while behavioral research commonly uses intranasal oxytocin around 24 IU (approximately 40 mcg) per session. Approved as an injectable drug (Pitocin) for labor; intranasal social/behavioral use is investigational.
Research intranasal oxytocin is supplied as a nasal-spray solution, not reconstituted from lyophilate for subcutaneous injection. Clinical Pitocin comes as a ready-to-dilute IV ampoule (e.g., 10 IU/mL). A U-100 injection mix does not apply to typical intranasal research use.
Open this mix in the calculator →Dosing figures describe how this compound appears in the research literature and research-community references. They are not a recommendation for human use.
Oxytocin FAQ
What is Oxytocin?
Oxytocin is an endogenous nine-amino-acid neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary. The injectable form (Pitocin/Syntocinon) is FDA-approved for labor induction and postpartum use, while intranasal oxytocin is widely researched for social bonding, trust, and anxiety.
What is the half-life of Oxytocin?
Very short - roughly 3-20 minutes in plasma; intranasal central/behavioral effects are studied over a longer window than the plasma half-life implies.
What is the research-reported dosing for Oxytocin?
Two distinct contexts: the approved obstetric IV form is dosed in milliunits per minute under clinical supervision, while behavioral research commonly uses intranasal oxytocin around 24 IU (approximately 40 mcg) per session. Approved as an injectable drug (Pitocin) for labor; intranasal social/behavioral use is investigational.
How is Oxytocin reconstituted?
Research intranasal oxytocin is supplied as a nasal-spray solution, not reconstituted from lyophilate for subcutaneous injection. Clinical Pitocin comes as a ready-to-dilute IV ampoule (e.g., 10 IU/mL). A U-100 injection mix does not apply to typical intranasal research use.
Is Oxytocin FDA-approved?
Oxytocin has an approved status in at least one context — see the overview above for the specific brand, region, and indication. Research-grade material sold separately is for laboratory use only.
References
Related peptides
PT-141
Melanocortin receptor agonist
A melanocortin-receptor agonist, FDA-approved as Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. Studied for arousal via central nervous-system pathways rather than the vascular route.
Kisspeptin-10
Kisspeptin decapeptide fragment
A decapeptide fragment of kisspeptin, a key upstream regulator of reproductive hormones, studied in fertility and reproductive-neuroendocrine research.
Melanotan II
Melanocortin receptor agonist
A synthetic melanocortin agonist studied for skin pigmentation (tanning) and, secondarily, arousal. It is not approved, and research notes meaningful safety considerations.
Selank
Synthetic heptapeptide (tuftsin analog)
A synthetic analog of the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin, developed in Russia and studied for anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and cognitive effects, often administered intranasally in research.