Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohypophysial hormone and neuropeptide produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. It has multiple physiological roles including stimulation of parturition and lactation, and promotion of pro-adaptive social behaviors necessary for mammalian survival. OT interacts with one receptor subtype: the OT receptor (OTR) which, upon stimulation, triggers different intracellular signal transduction cascades to mediate its physiological actions. Preclinical studies show that OT regulates social behaviors such as pair bonding, recognition and social interaction. It also coordinates the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone. Further evidence suggests that OT plays an important role in regulating caloric intake and metabolism, and in maintaining electrolyte and cardiovascular homeostasis. OT is also involved in attenuating the neurophysiological and neurochemical effects of trauma on the brain and body by facilitating both physical attachment such as wound healing, and psychological/social attachment, thereby increasing resilience to subsequent traumatic events. Clinical trials have reported that intranasal administration of OT provides therapeutic benefits for patients diagnosed with traumatic stress-related diseases such as major depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. OT’s therapeutic benefits may result from context-dependent interactions with key neural pathways (social, cognitive, and reward), neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and endogenous opioids), and biomarkers (adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), that lead to a decrease in stress -associated behaviors, and facilitate post-traumatic growth, ultimately leading to increased resilience, through improved social cohesion and attachment. OT induced-augmentation of physical and cognitive resilience may play a significant role in both the prevention of, and improved clinical outcomes for, traumatic stress-related disorders following either acute or enduring traumatic experiences.

催产素（OT）是一种由下丘脑产生并由垂体释放的神经垂体激素和神经肽。它具有多种生理作用，包括刺激分娩和泌乳，以及促进哺乳动物生存所必需的适应性社会行为。OT与一种受体亚型相互作用：OT受体（OTR），一旦受刺激，就会触发不同的细胞内信号转导级联反应，以介导其生理作用。临床前研究表明，旧约规范了诸如配对，识别和社交互动之类的社交行为。它还协调下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺（HPA）轴的激活和促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素的释放。进一步的证据表明，OT在调节热量的摄入和代谢中起着重要的作用，并维持电解质和心血管稳态。OT还通过促进诸如伤口愈合的物理依附和心理/社会依附，从而减轻创伤对大脑和身体的神经生理和神经化学作用，从而增强了对后续创伤事件的适应性。临床试验报告称，鼻内给予OT可为诊断为患有创伤性应激相关疾病（例如严重抑郁症和创伤后应激障碍）的患者提供治疗益处。OT的治疗益处可能来自与关键神经通路（社会，认知和奖励），神经递质（多巴胺，去甲肾上腺素，5-羟色胺和内源性阿片类药物）和生物标记物（促肾上腺皮质激素，皮质醇，和硫酸脱氢表雄酮），这会减少与压力相关的行为，并促进创伤后的成长，并最终通过增强的社会凝聚力和依恋感而增强韧性。OT诱发的生理和认知适应能力的增强可能在预防或改善急性或长期创伤经历后的创伤性应激相关疾病中发挥重要作用。