What is Oxytocin?

A peptide hormone with established obstetric medical uses and a less settled role in research on behavior, sexual function and appetite.

Oxytocin in the library · · Human Trials · What are peptides?

659 registered trials · 2094 indexed papers · 11481 human / 12538 animal studies

From the PeptideWhiz library entry. "As described" sections summarize claims made in the sources; they are not PeptideWhiz endorsements.

What it is

Oxytocin is described as a peptide hormone with established medical uses in obstetric care and a much less settled role in research on social behavior, sexual function and appetite. Calling it the “love hormone” is described as making a complicated subject sound simple; it does not mean a nasal spray reliably creates trust or improves relationships.

Registered human trials (659)

TrialPhaseStatusYearEnrolled
Effects of Maternal and Infant Massage on Breastfeeding and Mother-Infant Bondingnot yet recruiting2026136
Carbetocin Monotherapy Versus Carbetocin Plus Oxytocin Infusion in Elective Cesarean Delivery: A Non-Inferiority TrialPhase 4recruiting2026332
Effect of Intravenous Oxytocin on Post Dural Puncture Headache After Caesarean SectionsPhase 4not yet recruiting2026100
Efficacy of Intravenous Oxytocin to Speed Recovery After THAPhase 2enrolling by invitation202680
Oromucosal Oxytocin and Vasopressin Modulation of Emotional Face Attentionrecruiting2026120
The Effects of Oxytocin on Fairness Perception and Related Prosocial Behaviorsrecruiting202680
Effect of Oxytocin Bolus Versus Slow Infusion on Haemodynamic Stability During Caesarean Section Under Spinal Anaesthesianot yet recruiting202660
AI-Based Oxytocin-Stimulated Smart Lactation Support Vestnot yet recruiting202676
Oxytocin Bolus Versus Infusion in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section (INBOX-HR)Phase 4not yet recruiting2026180
Evaluating Intranasal Oxytocin (TNX-1900) for Pain Relief and Recovery After Pituitary SurgeryPhase 2not yet recruiting202675
Compare Hemodynamic Effect of Oxytocin Bolus and Infusion During Cesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesianot yet recruiting2026262
The Relationship Between Oxytocin Massage in Mothers With Insufficient Milk Production in the Early Postpartum Period and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Milk Let-down Reflex: A Randomized Controlled Studyrecruiting2026128
Carbetocin Uterotonic Treatment in Twin Pregnancies for Prevention of Postpartum HemorrhagePhase 4recruiting2026120
Intranasal Oxytocin Intervention for Caregivers to Persons With DementiaPhase 2recruiting202632
Oxytocin's Effects on Real Time-fMRI Neurofeedback Training of Anterior Insula Activityrecruiting202680
Sublingual Oxytocin for the Prevention of Post-partum HemorrhagePhase 2not yet recruiting2026330
Oxytocin's Effects on Emotional Processing and Its Acting Routesrecruiting2026120
PGE2 Followed by Oxytocin vs Oxytocin in Term PROM (POXY-PROM)recruiting2026450
Ergometrine Versus Carbetocin to Decrease Blood Loss in Myomectomyrecruiting202640
Prophylactic Regimen of Intravenous Oxytocin, Intravenous Tranexamic Acid, and Intramuscular Ergot Derivative for Primary Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Intrapartum Cesarean Section Versus Intravenous Carbetocin Alonenot yet recruiting202680
Induction of Labor After Cesarean Using Foley Alone vs. Concurrent Foley and Oxytocinactive not recruiting2025100
Oxytocin Pharmacokinetics and PharmacodynamicsPhase 2recruiting2025100
Oxytocin-Augmented Group Psychotherapy for Patients With Schizophrenia - an Oxytocin-dose Comparisonrecruiting2025120
The Effect of Oxytocin Nasal Spray on Preventing Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Orthopedic SurgeryPhase 2completed2025227
Intravenous Oxytocin for Post Operative Pain After Minimally Invasive HysterectomyPhase 2recruiting2025152
Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin in Patients With Arginine-vasopressin DeficiencyPhase 1recruiting202540
Intranasal and Intravenous Oxytocin for Analgesia to Noxious Heat PainPhase 2completed202524
Comparing Intra-Umbilical Versus Intravenous Oxytocin in Women During the Third Stage of Labor for Reducing Blood LossPhase 4completed202560
Comparative Efficacy of Carbetocin and Oxytocin in Parturients at Risk of Atonic Postpartum Hemorrhage Undergoing Elective Cesarean Deliveryrecruiting2025160
Effects Of Intravenous Oxytocin On Peripheral Sensory Afferents Using MicroneurographyPhase 2recruiting202560
The Power of Belief: Expectation-driven and Placebo Modulation of Empathic Painrecruiting2025120
Oxytocin and Human Defensive Responses in a Dynamic Situationrecruiting202580
Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Sexual Well-Being in Patients With Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency and Healthy ControlsPhase 2recruiting202542
Effect of Extracellular Calcium on Carbetocin Mediated Contractility in Human Myometriumrecruiting202540
Rectal Misoprostol for Reducing Blood Loss in Elective Cesarean Sectionnot yet recruiting2025282
Marmet and Oxytocin Massage for Breast Milk Increaserecruiting2025123
The Effect of Oxytocin on the Alpha Cell Response to Hypoglycaemia in Patients With Type 1 Diabetescompleted202516
The Effect of Oral Oxytocin and Atosiban on Top-down Attention ( OTAtosiban )EARLY_Phase 1recruiting2025250
Oxytocin/Foley vs. Oxytocin for Induction in Patients With PPROMPhase 4recruiting202580
The Effect of Oral Oxytocin and Atosiban on Social AttentionEARLY_Phase 1recruiting2025250

Peer-reviewed studies (2094)

PaperAuthorsJournalYearType
The Effect of Carbetocin on Cardiac Repolarization: A Randomized, Placebo- and Positive-Controlled QT/QTc Study in Healthy AdultsJonker DM et al.Clinical and translational science2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of oral calcium carbonate on uterine contractility: a pilot randomised controlled trialBui TM et al.Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Association between salivary oxytocin concentration and social loneliness in older adults: Findings from an uncontrolled pre-post multimodal intervention studyZaharia G et al.Psychoneuroendocrinology2026Clinical Trial
Impact of oxytocin discontinuation on fetal heart rate and uterine contractility: A pre-specified ancillary analysis embedded within a randomized trialLafforgue L et al.Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Intranasal Oxytocin for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Multisite Trial Assessing Efficacy and SafetyTiouririne NA et al.Alcohol, clinical & experimental research2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Carbetocin and oxytocin use in emergency cesarean delivery: a prospective observational study of 24-hour bleeding outcomesEryılmaz T et al.BMC pregnancy and childbirth2026Observational Study
Rationale, design, and statistical analysis plan for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Limosilactobacillus reuteri to support mother-infant bonding and maternal socioemotional functioning in postpartum women at increased risk for postpartum depressionBecetti I et al.Contemporary clinical trials2026Clinical Study
Intrapartum Oxytocin and Maternal Outcomes Following Vaginal and Unscheduled Cesarean DeliveryAllouche-Kam H et al.medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences2026Preprint
Promoting self-compassion meditation with intranasal oxytocin in borderline personality disorder: a pilot studyArqueros M et al.Psychiatry research2026Randomized Controlled Trial
A Quality-Improvement Study Evaluating Three Postpartum Prophylactic Oxytocin Rates and Blood Loss After Vaginal BirthLitman EA et al.Obstetrics and gynecology2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Membrane sweeping vs double-balloon catheter for cervical ripening: a randomized controlled trialIzakson R et al.American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Oxytocin Modulates Inhibitory Control via Neural-Temporal MechanismsYi W et al.Psychophysiology2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Timing of carbetocin administration in vaginal deliveries: a double-blind, randomized controlled trialYıldız P et al.Journal of perinatal medicine2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with and without a supplemental booster dose in healthy participants: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover studyHumbert-Droz M et al.Translational psychiatry2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Prophylactic oxytocin infusion for reducing blood loss during elective caesarean delivery: A randomised controlled trialGovindan P et al.The Indian journal of medical research2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Biological modulators of treatment outcome during psychiatric care: The interplay between inflammation and oxytocinSedoff O et al.Psychoneuroendocrinology2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Oxytocin alone versus oxytocin plus papaverine for labor induction in primiparous women after catheter ripening: a randomized controlled trialGanem N et al.American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Acute placebo responsiveness predicts longitudinal expectation effects in antidepressant treatmentShim EJ et al.Translational psychiatry2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Prophylactic tranexamic acid for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in women with placenta praevia: multicentre, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, phase 3 trialZhang L et al.BMJ (Clinical research ed.)2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Oxytocin substitution therapy in patients with AVP deficiency (central diabetes insipidus): study protocol of a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trialAtila C et al.BMJ open2026Clinical Study
Retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis of carbetocin for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal birth: Evidence from a tertiary maternity center in FrancePoyet S et al.International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics2026Observational Study
Effects of intranasal oxytocin on fear, pain and aversive memorySilva JU et al.Neuropeptides2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Acute dose-dependent effects of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) compared with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psilocybin in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy participantsArikci D et al.Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology2026Randomized Controlled Trial
The Relationship Between Serum Neurosteroids and Oxytocin Levels and Craving, Aggression and Emotion Regulation in Patients with Methamphetamine Use DisorderAkbas Cakmak H et al.Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)2026Observational Study
The effects of oxytocin and carbetocin on hemostatic parameters in women after spontaneous vaginal delivery: a randomized trialYoruk N et al.Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)2026Randomized Controlled Trial
[Boosting oxytocin in postpartum depression]Riem MME et al.Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Oral calcium carbonate as an adjunct to oxytocin infusion for labor induction: a randomized controlled pilot study on feasibility and acceptabilityBoers JRM et al.American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Reproductive hormone stability with prolonged intranasal oxytocin in adults with obesityGalbiati F et al.International journal of obesity (2005)2026Randomized Controlled Trial
The impact of intranasal oxytocin administration and social observation on time perception and task execution in a simple motor taskKiss O et al.Psychological research2026Randomized Controlled Trial
A pilot study on the role of the oxytocinergic system in gut microbiome composition in children with autism: baseline associations and effects of intranasal oxytocinMargaux E et al.Brain, behavior, and immunity2026Randomized Controlled Trial

More cited research

Conditions researched

Related compounds

FAQ

What is Oxytocin?

A peptide hormone with established obstetric medical uses and a less settled role in research on behavior, sexual function and appetite.

How many registered human trials study Oxytocin?

The PeptideWhiz trial index lists 659 registered trials for Oxytocin, the most recent from 2026.

How much published research exists on Oxytocin?

The PeptideWhiz paper index links 2094 PubMed papers to Oxytocin; by study type, 11481 human and 12538 animal studies.

Which conditions is Oxytocin researched for?

Anemia, Anti-aging & longevity, Anxiety and panic, Atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease & high blood pressure, Autism support, Chronic and systemic inflammation, Chronic pain: fibromyalgia & CRPS, Cognition, focus & brain performance, Delayed gastric emptying on GLP-1 medicines, Dementia, Alzheimer's & cognitive decline, Endometriosis, Eyes: macular degeneration & retinal health, Fat loss, obesity & body recomposition, Fatigue & low energy (incl. midlife), Female fertility, Fight-or-flight and nervous system overdrive, Gut: IBD (Crohn's, colitis), leaky gut, IBS & ulcers, Heart repair: after heart attack, heart failure & enlarged heart, High-demand jobs: military, fire, police, EMT (and combat-sport athletes), Immune system (general), Insulin resistance, prediabetes & type 2 diabetes, Low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension, Lymphedema and swelling, Menopause & perimenopause, Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), Migraine, Muscle gain, sarcopenia & building muscle after 40, Osteoarthritis, cartilage loss & avoiding joint replacement, PCOS, PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), Post-surgical inflammation and surgery recovery, Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety notes, Recurrent vaginal infections & vaginal atrophy, Recurring UTIs, Sexual function & libido (women and men), Skin, hair loss, wounds & mast-cell/histamine reactivity, Sleep apnea (obstructive), Sleep problems (incl. insomnia on peptides), Tendon, ligament, muscle & joint injuries (incl. athletes), Tinnitus.

Research and education only. Not medical advice. No dosing guidance. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov registry and PubMed via the PeptideWhiz index (204,289 studies).

Reported dosing ranges from research