Oxytocin, sometimes called “the hormone of love," has been shown in several studies to play an important role in social lives, sexual reproduction, and maternal roles in women. Released from the posterior pituitary gland in the brain, oxytocin is one of the few hormones that can establish a positive feedback loop.

For pregnant women, it is the hormone that stimulates contractions of the uterus during birth, stimulates the nipples after birth, and induces lactation. During intercourse, oxytocin levels rise in both men and women.

More studies show a broader range of oxytocin influences, such as the ability to activate the brain's reward center and cause pleasure. Lack of or inability to produce oxytocin has been linked with social disorders like sociopathy, psychopathy, and autism. Though oxytocin is infuential in many behaviors, the mechanisms behind that influence are not understood very well.

A new study conducted in Concordia University showed that oxtocin also plays a role in how we see ourselves in society. The study enrolled around one hundred university students of both genders between the ages of 18 and 35. Participants could not take medication, smoke cigarettes, suffer or have ever suffered a mental illness or use recreational drugs in order to be eligible for the study.

To evaluate the effects, participants inhaled the oxytocin from a nasal spray. After one hour and a half, participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire designed to evaluate how the oxytocin made them feel. Participants were also evaluated for neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to new experiences.

"Our study shows oxytocin can change how people see themselves, which could in turn make people more sociable," says senior author Mark Ellenbogen, Canada Research Chair in Developmental Psychopathology at Concordia University and a member of the Centre for Research in Human Development. Ellenbogen’s research focuses on the relationship between biological and psychosocial factors during development. He explains, "Under the effects of oxytocin, a person can perceive themselves as more extroverted, more open to new ideas and more trusting."

Christopher Cardoso, graduate student in the Concordia Department of Psychology and member of the Centre for Research in Human Development, stated, "Participants who self-administered intranasal oxytocin reported higher ratings of extraversion and openness to experiences than those who received a placebo... specifically, oxytocin administration amplified personality traits such as warmth, trust, altruism and openness."

Oxytocin was proven to improve self perception; there were no negative effects on emotions, rejection sensitivity, self-esteem, perceived social support, or depression.

These studies bode well for the development of new drugs to treat psychological issues like antisocial personality disorder and various sexual dysfunctions.