Why does oxytocin make us feel bonded to others?

The answer

Oxytocin, often called the 'love hormone' or 'bonding hormone,' is produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland during social bonding experiences. It surges during childbirth to stimulate uterine contractions and milk ejection, and is released during breastfeeding to strengthen the mother-infant bond. Oxytocin levels also rise during hugging, kissing, physical touch, and orgasm. In the brain, oxytocin acts on the amygdala to reduce fear and anxiety, and on reward centers to associate social contact with pleasure. Intranasal oxytocin administration has been shown to increase trust in economic games, improve facial emotion recognition, and enhance in-group favoritism. However, the hormone's effects are context-dependent: while it promotes bonding within trusted groups, it can also increase suspicion and aggression toward perceived outsiders.