Andrew Huberman· PhD
The main types of interactions that release oxytocin at high levels are first of all, that the interaction between individuals that see each other as very closely associated, right? So a infant and mother are very closely associated whether or not it's an adopted infant or not. Oftentimes they are in close contact, oftentimes they are from the very body of the other. And so the amount or the amplitude of oxytocin released tends to scale with how closely associated individuals are just the sight of one's baby or smell of one's baby can evoke oxytocin release and vice versa from the mother. Physical contact, even more so in romantic partners. Physical contact, even the sight of a picture of a partner can evoke oxytocin release and sexual desire also trust.