Are you overly obsessed with finding and having sex?
A new study found that men who display hypersexual behavior, often have elevated levels of a common hormone oxytocin.
The results published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism looked at 64 men with a clinical diagnosis of hypersexual disorder.
Hypersexual disorder is an excessive preoccupation with sexual fantasies, urges or behaviors to the extent it has a negative impact on your life.
Men with hypersexuality were discovered to have almost twice the levels of the hormone oxytocin as the control group.
After seven weeks of behavioral therapy, the oxytocin levels fell, until they were just slightly above the control group.
Lead researcher Andreas Chatzittofis, MD, PhD, told Healio,
There is a lack of knowledge regarding the pathophysiology underlying hypersexual disorder, and this is the first study to indicate a role for oxytocin’s involvement.“
Why the men had higher oxytocin levels is unknown. Women tend to have more oxytocin than men, it’s a key hormone of procreation, but all humans have it. Sometimes called the love or “cuddle hormone”, levels are boosted when we experience affection and intimacy.
Petting your dog, hugs, hand-holding, and touch in general can boost the hormone. Men experience a boost in oxytocin from their brains when they ejaculate.
Chatzittofis told Queerty,
the relationship between stress and sexual behavior is complex depending on many factors.”
The study did not ask participants about their sexual orientation, but Chatzittofis said that gay men in general,
experience greater levels of stress than the general population and oxytocin might be involved in stress-coping mechanisms also in that population.”
Fountain of Youth
A 2014 study in the journal Nature Communications, presented oxytocin as a treatment for age-related muscle wasting.
Oxytocin was the first anti-aging molecule identified that is approved by the FDA for clinical use in humans.
Researchers said that oxytocin is found in high levels in both young boys and girls and in addition to healthy muscle, the hormone might improve bone health help combat obesity.
What DOESN’T oxytocin do?
(Photo, Men.com; via Queerty)
