How To Increase Oxytocin Naturally: 5 Science-Backed Tricks That Melt Stress in Minutes
Turns out your favorite hobbies—from reading to singing—lift your spirits fast
A feel-good hormone called oxytocin is best known for its roles in triggering romantic feelings and boosting mother-child bonding, which is why it’s been nicknamed the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone.” But oxytocin plays a role in reducing stress and anxiety, too. Plus, Chinese researchers suggest that it optimizes bone and muscle strength. The hitch? Women’s levels of oxytocin can naturally dip after age 50. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up the best science-backed tips on how to increase oxytocin production naturally.
How to increase oxytocin: 5 easy tips
Good news: Research shows that boosting oxytocin levels doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. These tricks make it a cinch.
Lose yourself in an audiobook
Listening to a fictional story is more than just entertaining: A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America reveals it can also send oxytocin levels soaring by 800 percent in as little as 30 minutes. Experts say immersing yourself in narratives creates emotional connections with characters and storytellers that stimulate oxytocin production and release to improve your mood.
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Tip: To access free audiobooks, check out sites such as LibriVox and Loyal Books.
Sniff a familiar herbal scent
When women in a Japanese study inhaled the aroma of clary sage, their oxytocin levels increased within 20 minutes. And an investigation in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology found that sniffing the scent of lavender had a similar effect. Turns out both clary sage and lavender contain a compound called linolool, which switches on genes in the brain’s hypothalamus to trigger a quick oxytocin uptick.
Channel your inner Dolly
Singing is a surefire spirit booster. And Swedish scientists say the strategy can increase oxytocin levels in 30 minutes. They note that lifting your voice in song activates the vagus nerve, which prods the brain to release oxytocin. Plus, the joy you feel when singing enhances the production of the hormone.
For best benefits, belt out upbeat tunes such as Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” or “Two Doors Down.” (Bonus: Discover why music is an important part of Dolly’s ‘rejoicing exercise’ routine.)
Hand out hugs to others
Exchanging a hug with a friend or loved one activates skin receptors that send oxytocin-boosting signals to the brain. That’s why a report in Biological Psychology found that oxytocin levels were significantly higher in women who frequently gave and received hugs compared to their less-demonstrative peers.
No one nearby to get the perks of friendly physical touch? Treat yourself to a scalp massage instead (check out our how-to guide below!). German scientists say self-touch increases oxytocin, too.
Try a DIY ‘oxytocin massage’
“This 5- to 10-minute ritual needs no special equipment and can boost oxytocin naturally,” says Brianna Donan, licensed massage therapist and owner of Pampered Spirit in Point Pleasant, N.J. Her advice:
- Start by sitting comfortably, then gently massage your entire scalp in “shampooing” motions—small, soothing circles.
- If you find a few points where you feel tightness, press lightly into those tense spots with your fingertips.
- Spend a few moments applying firm pressure to the crown of your head with the fingertips of both hands, then move your fingers down to stimulate your temples in small circles.
- Finish by placing both thumbs behind your head at the base of your skull, then gently knead upward.
This article originally appeared in the February 23, 2026, print issue of Woman’s World.
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