Anti-anxiety effects induced by aromatherapy and oxytocin

Abstract

Oxytocin has traditionally been known as a hormone involved in promoting parturition and milk ejection. However, recently, its role has been revealed to extend to metabolic control, weight control, social behavior, and emotional regulation. Oxytocin’s anti-anxiety effect has been particularly noteworthy. Previous human studies have reported that the intranasal administration of oxytocin reduces social anxiety and fear. Aromatherapy and hand treatment reportedly have anxiolytic effects and are effective in reducing anxiety, as it relaxes the nervous system, lowers the cortisol levels, and suppresses the activity of the amygdala. Oxytocin can potentially be applied in clinical settings, given that the number of individuals with anxiety has continued to increase and oxytocin has been suggested to be involved in the anti-anxiety effects of aromatherapy and hand treatment. In the present review, we focus on the anti-anxiety effect of oxytocin and discuss its relationship with the effects of aromatherapy and hand treatment.