Oxytocin and Stress Response

Abstract

In response to a stressful unexpected experience, the brain activates a complex stress system that involves the organism in an adaptive response to the threatening situation. This stress system acts on several peripheral tissues and feeds back to the brain. One of its key players is oxytocin hormone. The neuropeptide, oxytocin (OT), has well-established roles during parturition and lactation. In addition to its peripheral actions, OT is released within multiple areas of the brain and influences behavioural and neuroendocrine responses to stress. Several studies suggest that oxytocin is implicated in the central control of responses to stress through modulation of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH). Intranasal OT application was associated with an inhibitory effect on adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion and subsequent impairment of corticosterone secretion. This may be of importance for understanding and perhaps suggesting its utility to buffer stress. Synthesis and release of OT depend to a great extent on steroid hormones particularly on estradiol and corticosterone. Estrogens stimulate synthesis and release of OT and increase the number of OT receptors in some areas of the brain. However, the role of OT in mediating stress is variable and may also depend on gender and on external factors.

Effects of music interventions on stress-related outcomes: a systematic review and two meta-analyses

“…Group music-making or singing together may result in social bonding, which may be explained by the release of the neurotransmitters endorphin and oxytocin (e.g., Dunbar, Kaskatis, MacDonald, & Barra, 2012;Freeman, 2000;Tarr et al, 2014;Weinstein, Launay, Pearce, Dunbar, & Stewart, 2016). These neurotransmitters play a role in the defensive response to stress (Amir, Brown, & Amit, 1980;Dief, Sivukhina, & Jirikowski, 2018;Myint, Jayakumar, Hoe, Kanthimathi, & Lam, 2017). It should be noted that nearly all studies included in our meta-analysis examined participants listening to music alone (e.g., by using headphones), because most studies examined 'music as medicine' instead of music therapy, which is applied by a music therapist, and can be delivered both in a group and individual format.…”

Music therapy for stress reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In addition, empirical evidence shows that music activities in a group may result in synchronization among group members, which leads to positive feelings of togetherness and bonding (Linnemann et al, 2016;Tarr et al, 2014). These feelings of togetherness and bonding may be explained by the release of the neurotransmitters endorphin and oxytocin, which both play an important role in the defensive response to stress (e.g., Amir et al, 1980;Dief et al, 2018;Myint et al, 2017). Lastly, music listening can help to lower stress levels through its quality to provide 'distraction' from stress-increasing feelings or thoughts (Bernatzky et al, 2011;Chanda & Levitin, 2013).…”

Activation of oxytocin receptors in mouse GABAergic amacrine cells modulates retinal dopaminergic signaling

“…RAGEs are also expressed in the retinal blood vessels [ 60 ], so oxytocin in blood circulation may pass the blood-retina barrier to regulate retinal functions. Since hypothalamic oxytocin release is changed with the external environment (e.g., enriched environment [ 15 ] and social touch [ 61 , 62 ]) and internal physiology (e.g., parental caring [ 63 , 64 ] and stressful state [ 65 ]), the processing and transmitting visual information in the retina may be regulated by animal states via hypothalamic oxytocin signaling.…”