Improve Your Mood with an Oxytocin Inhaler

Oxytocin is a hormone we produce that acts as a chemical modulator of social behavior, trust and attachment in the brain . What happens then if we inhale it?
Improve Your Mood with an Oxytocin Inhaler
Raquel Marín

Written and verified by the neuroscientist Raquel Marín.

Last update: 25 August, 2022

The fundamental pillar of any social relationship is trust. On the contrary, mistrust can ruin interactions of any kind in the blink of an eye. Some people who are experts on the human mind manage to gain the trust of very disagreeable people with body and verbal language. For those who don’t have this masterful ability, there may be an alternative: a nasal spray that can improve the perception others have of you. It’s called an oxytocin inhaler, keep reading to find out more!
Note: This article mentions scientific examples in which an oxytocin inhaler can interact in the case of emotional adversities, eating disorders or autism. However, these are experimental observations that are far from becoming universal remedies. They shouldn’t be taken literally, but as interesting information about research on emotional management in various fields of work.

An oxytocin inhaler could help you be sociable

Oxytocin is a hormone that our body produces. It acts in the brain as a chemical modulator of social behavior, trust and attachment. According to scientific studies, inhaling oxytocin through the nose increases trust between people and improves social relationships. It even improves the interpretation of complex emotions when it’s difficult to describe what we feel.

Research has shown that after nasal administration, other people have a better understanding of what we feel without having to give too many explanations. However, the most surprising aspect of all this is that just one dose is enough to increase our empathy, trust, and cooperative spirit from the first contact with strangers.

Friends talking.

Oxytocin inhalers improve war memory

This hormone of affection is so powerful for the mind that it can even change the natural aversion to war enemies in wartime and alleviate traumatic experiences.

A joint study by U.S., Israeli and U.K. researchers has shown that Israelis who expressed painful after-effects from their experience in the Israel-Palestine conflict increased in empathy towards the enemy’s pain and suffering.

Oxytocin inhaler linked to eating motivation

Oxytocin is linked to appetite and weight. A study was carried out on obese people who were inhaling small doses of the hormone for 8 weeks. Results found that they lost more than 33 pounds (15 kilos) without any effort whatsoever.

The explanation for this miraculous change comes from the fact that a single nasal dose reduced the cravings and, therefore, they were less inclined to eat whims that ended up turning into weight gain.

Also read: Do Fruits Prevent Weight Loss?

On the other hand, people who suffer from anorexia nervosa have altered levels of this hormone. This disease is characterized by a distorted view of the perception of oneself, eating disorders, rejection of food and extreme thinness.

Therefore, altered doses of oxytocin in people suffering from anorexia would explain the lack of motivation for food as a pleasurable activity, and the distortion between feelings of hunger and satiety.

Oxytocin trial in autism

Researchers have also included oxytocin inhalers in trials with people with autism. From childhood, people who have autism people suffer a disorder. This disorder manifests itself with loss of contact with external reality and social maladjustment. They seem to be in their “own world”.

Autistic children.

In this case, after intranasal inhalation, autistic patients respond and interact more with others. They also increase companionship and confidence, and ultimately improve social behavior.

After reading this, you probably can’t help but think of certain situations in which you’d love to have an oxytocin inhaler. For example, it could help the bank director grant you a loan. Maybe it could even convince potential clients to buy the product or service that you’re trying to sell.

But beware! Don’t accept an inhaler from strangers… they might have bad intentions.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.