What foods contain oxytocin?

There are no foods that contain oxytocin. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone that improves how people feel by boosting happiness, decreasing anxiety and facilitating a sense of safety. Oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and is stored and secreted by the posterior pituitary gland.

Synthetic oxytocin can be produced in a laboratory, but it cannot be taken orally because oxytocin is destroyed by the gastrointestinal tract. Synthetic oxytocin needs to be administered as a nasal spray or by injection. A common medical use for injected oxytocin is inducing labor. Displaying affection and performing altruistic acts such as giving gifts are some natural ways to increase oxytocin production.