Oxytocin dosage and reconstitution
The closeness hormone as a nasal spray, taken now and then before a date or a hard talk. Felt in 15 to 30 minutes, gone in an hour or two.
Used as a nasal spray.
Used now and then, not daily; the oxytocin receptor becomes less responsive with constant exposure.
Staying safe
Things people sometimes notice
- Feeling tender or teary for an hour; for most people this is the effect, not a side effect
- A mild headache or flushing
- A dry or irritated nose with the spray
- Nothing at all at a low dose, which is common
Stop and get help if (trouble breathing or swelling: call 911)
- Dizziness or feeling faint, since larger doses can drop blood pressure
- Nausea, vomiting or a pounding headache after a dose, which means the dose was too high for you
- Any uterine cramping if you could be pregnant
Talk to your doctor first, especially if
- You are pregnant or could be: oxytocin contracts the uterus, and this is the one hard rule
- You have a history of uterine problems, such as fibroids or past uterine surgery, for the same reason
- You take antidepressants or other mood medicines, since it acts on the same social and stress circuits
- You have low blood pressure or a heart rhythm problem, because larger doses can lower pressure and affect rhythm
- You get frequent headaches or migraines, which it can trigger
Mixing it
Oxytocin here is a nasal spray, with nothing to inject. The label on a spray bottle gives the IU in each spray, so you count sprays to reach your dose. If you start from a powder vial, it has to be made up into a spray at a known strength first; do not inject these amounts.
Read the IU per spray on the label before the first dose.
Prime the pump into the air until it sprays evenly.
Count the sprays for your dose and split them between nostrils, breathing in gently.
Take it 30 to 60 minutes before the moment, on a light stomach.
Store per the label, usually in the fridge; oxytocin is delicate.