OXY
A hormone popularly called the 'bonding hormone' (a popular label, not a mechanism). Approved medically as an injectable for labour induction/augmentation and postpartum haemorrhage; intranasal oxytocin has been studied for effects on social behaviour and anxiety, with inconsistent results across trials.
Regulatory status (as of Sept 2026)
Injectable oxytocin is an approved prescription drug for obstetric indications. Intranasal oxytocin for behavioural or psychiatric use is not FDA-approved; the discontinued US nasal spray is not available. Not a 503A compounding-list item addressed by the April 2026 removals or the July 2026 PCAC votes.
See the FDA peptide regulatory tracker · Read our July 27, 2026 dispatch on the FDA PCAC peptide vote3 studies referenced · Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026 · Reviewed by The Peptide Dispatch Editorial Team · How we research & label content
Oxytocin is an FDA-approved prescription drug. A hormone popularly called the 'bonding hormone' (a popular label, not a mechanism).
| Half-life | 3-5 minutes (but effects longer) |
|---|---|
| How it's given in studies | Intranasal |
| Research stage | FDA-approved |
| Dosing | Published research: Intranasal oxytocin bioavailability is about 2% in rats, with brain delivery occurring largely by direct… detailsIntranasal oxytocin bioavailability is ~2% in rats, with brain delivery occurring largely by direct nose-to-brain transport; a human phase 1 study of a related intranasal oxytocin-receptor agonist used 5-400 microgram doses.Community-reportedCommunity-reported: 10–40 IU intranasal, intranasal |
Published-research dosing is what was given in the cited studies (species and units as reported). Community-reported dosing is what users describe, not from clinical studies. Neither is a recommendation. Not medical advice.
Where each point comes from: Clinicalhuman trials and FDA labels Lab / animalrodent, cell and ex vivo studies Community-reporteduser experience and commonly used protocols, not from clinical studies
In plain terms: It is a natural hormone that acts on the uterus and the brain; its approved uses are in childbirth. Activates oxytocin receptors in the brain and periphery. Its approved uses act on the uterus (labour induction or augmentation, postpartum haemorrhage). Central effects on social behaviour are proposed; intranasal delivery to the brain was studied in rats (Tanaka 2018), and human trial results are inconsistent.
How to read this: Each item below is an effect observed in research subjects in the cited studies — think of Dexter, our stand-in research subject. These are findings from the literature, not results you should expect, and not medical advice.
Community-reportedIn user communities, Oxytocin is typically run at 10–40 IU (intranasal). This is not a recommendation.
Side effects reported in studies are listed separately below.
Community reports are anecdotal, vary widely in product quality and purity, and are not medical advice. Talk to a licensed provider.
New research, FDA peptide updates, and what users are reporting. One email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.
| Peptide | Half-Life | Route | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxytocin | 3-5 minutes (but effects longer) | Intranasal | FDA-approved |
| Cerebrolysin | No published PK data found | IV or IM injection | Approved outside US |
| Cortexin | No published PK data found | Intramuscular injection | Approved outside US |
| Thymulin (Zn-FTS) | Unknown | Subcutaneous injection | Preclinical (animal) |
| VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) | ~2 minutes | Intranasal or subcutaneous | Phase 3 |
Values reflect figures reported in published research. Compare any peptides side-by-side →
This peptide belongs to the Research category. View All Research Peptides
Healing
From Our Affiliated Clinic
1836 Wellness is a physician-supervised clinic in Houston, TX. Discussing a compound on this page is not an offer to prescribe or supply it.
See how it works →Disclosure: The Peptide Dispatch and 1836 Wellness are commonly owned by 1836 Wellness LLC. We may benefit financially if you become a client of 1836 Wellness. Learn more.
Dosing, half-life figures, and mechanism descriptions on this page are compiled from peer-reviewed published research, with the species and study type stated where reported. Figures labeled “Dosing used in published research” describe what was given in those studies and do not constitute dosing recommendations for any human use. Each cited paper is listed with DOI and PubMed links in the References section above. Found an error? Contact us.