{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T06:46:41Z","timestamp":1782283601220,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":89,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782259200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:p>Clinical evidence indicates that tactile stimulation of the skin, such as stroking or gentle touch, elicits a range of beneficial physiological and psychological responses, such as increased social interaction, wellbeing, calm, restorative and growth promoting effects, as well as reduced fear, pain, and stress levels. These effects are mediated by activation of cutaneous sensory nerves, which relay signals to central regulatory systems. During this process, several neuropeptides and hormones are released, one of which is oxytocin produced in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei of the hypothalamus. Oxytocin in turn stimulates social interaction, induces wellbeing and calm, and promotes growth and restorative processes in part via vagal activation of the endocrine system of the gastrointestinal tract and by inhibiting the activity within the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA)-axis and the sympathetic nervous system. It is proposed that cutaneous nerves are typically activated during social interaction through a two-step process. Gentle touch activates a two-neuron pathway involving tachykinin 1-neurons originating from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and thereafter projecting to the SON and PVN. This activation triggers the release of oxytocin from neurons in the SON and PVN, which by activating oxytocin receptors promotes social interaction and rewarding mechanisms. Subsequent behaviors such as holding and caressing, trigger a second pool of cutaneous afferents, that respond to higher mechanical pressure than those triggered by gentle touch. We propose that these fibers are associated with oxytocin linked calming effects and with enhanced metabolic, restorative and growth promoting benefits, e.g., via vagal activation of the endocrine system of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, anxiety, stress, pain and inflammation levels are decreased via oxytocinergic mechanisms in the brain. It is also possible that oxytocin released in response to cutaneous afferents exerts long-term effects by increasing oxytocin production and enhancing the function of oxytocin receptors. These two types of oxytocin-associated effect patterns may be activated, to varying degrees, in clinical practices involving skin-to-skin contact between individuals in certain therapeutic or caregiving contexts, such as skin-to-skin contact between infant and parent after birth or in the more long-term perspective during kangaroo care. Consequently, lack of social contact and closeness leads to reduced capacity for social interaction, increased stress levels, impaired health and even retarded growth at young age. Birth and breast-feeding, but not touch or closeness, are associated with a pulsatile release of oxytocin into the circulation. In addition, oxytocin linked pathways in the brain will be activated in response to birth and breastfeeding just as in response to touch and closeness. The release and effects of oxytocin will depend on the intensity and location of the cutaneous stimulation and of the oxytocin release pattern induced. Given the potential for different effects in response to distinct types of cutaneous stimulation manual therapies could be designed for targeted effects, such as reducing stress, relieving pain, boosting calm, or even promoting growth in early life. The aim of this narrative review was to explore the potential roles of central oxytocin, including its release and associated effects, in response to different types of sensory stimulation. In addition, we examine how oxytocin may contribute to social interaction and to clinical practices involving touch or close physical contact.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1771799","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T05:47:51Z","timestamp":1782280071000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Oxytocin release patterns and effects, with a focus on touch, social interaction, and closeness"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Kerstin","family":"Uvn\u00e4s-Moberg","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Environment and Health, Section of Anthrozoology and Applied Ethology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences","place":["Skara, Sweden"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maria","family":"Petersson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital and Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet","place":["Solna, Sweden"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.1159\/000471876","article-title":"The physiology of childhood growth: hormonal regulation","volume":"88","author":"Benyi","year":"2017","journal-title":"Horm. Res. Paediatr."},{"key":"B2","volume-title":"Attachment and Loss: Volume I. Attachment","author":"Bowlby","year":"1969"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"449","DOI":"10.1017\/S0022029900027813","article-title":"Milk removal in familiar and unfamiliar surroundings: concentrations of oxytocin, prolactin, cortisol and beta-endorphin","volume":"60","author":"Bruckmaier","year":"1993","journal-title":"Diary Res. J."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"127","DOI":"10.1016\/0163-7258(83)90056-6","article-title":"Vasopressin and oxytocin \u2013 their role in neurotransmission","volume":"22","author":"Buijs","year":"1983","journal-title":"Pharmacol. Ther."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.1016\/0006-8993(82)90979-9","article-title":"Vasopressin and oxytocin release in the brain \u2014 a synaptic event","volume":"252","author":"Buijs","year":"1982","journal-title":"Brain Res."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3055","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-012515400-0\/50063-4","article-title":"\u201cOxytocin: synthesis, secretion, and reproductive functions,\u201d","author":"Burbach","year":"2006","journal-title":"Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1523-536X.2009.00307.x","volume":"36","author":"Bystrova","year":"2009","journal-title":"Birth"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"291","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1523-536X.2007.00187.x","article-title":"Maternal axillar and breast temperature after giving birth: effects of delivery ward practices and relation to infant temperature","volume":"34","author":"Bystrova","year":"2007","journal-title":"Birth"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"99","DOI":"10.1016\/j.euroneuro.2020.08.003","article-title":"Oxytocin increases the pleasantness of affective touch and orbitofrontal cortex activity independent of valence","volume":"39","author":"Chen","year":"2020","journal-title":"Eur. Neuropsychopharmacol."},{"key":"B10","first-page":"278","article-title":"Massage therapy during early postnatal life promotes greater lean mass and bone growth, mineralization, and strength in juvenile and young adult rats","volume":"9","author":"Chen","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Musculoskelet. Neuronal Interact"},{"key":"B11","first-page":"67","article-title":"Short-term effects of skin-to-skin contact on maternal and infant behaviour and physiology","volume":"42","author":"Christensson","year":"","journal-title":"Early Hum. Dev."},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"468","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1651-2227.1995.tb13676.x","article-title":"Separation distress call in the human neonate in the absence of maternal body contact","volume":"84","author":"Christensson","year":"","journal-title":"Acta Paediatr."},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.3389\/fnsyn.2018.00013","article-title":"Extrasynaptic neurotransmission mediated by exocytosis and diffusive release of transmitter substances","volume":"10","author":"Del-Bel","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front. Synaptic Neurosci."},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"189","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00433.2023","article-title":"Exercise-induced neuroplasticity in autonomic nuclei restores the cardiac vagal tone and baroreflex dysfunction in aged hypertensive rats","volume":"136","author":"Dellacqua","year":"1985","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mehy.2019.05.004","article-title":"Are the antidepressive effects of massage therapy mediated by restoration of impaired interoceptive functioning? A novel hypothetical mechanism","volume":"128","author":"Eggart","year":"2019","journal-title":"Med. Hypotheses"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1986","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2015.01986","article-title":"The neurobiology shaping affective touch: expectation, motivation, and meaning in the multisensory context","volume":"6","author":"Ellingsen","year":"2015","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.1016\/0306-4522(95)00291-P","article-title":"Distribution and origin of peptide-containing nerve fibres in the rat and human mammary gland","volume":"70","author":"Eriksson","year":"1996","journal-title":"Neuroscience"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"271","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1467-7687.2009.00890.x","article-title":"Touch attenuates infants' physiological reactivity to stress","volume":"13","author":"Feldman","year":"2010","journal-title":"Dev. Sci."},{"key":"B19","first-page":"359","article-title":"A study of the motility of the intact uterus at term","volume":"73","author":"Ferguson","year":"1941","journal-title":"Surg. Gynecol. Obstet."},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctcp.2016.04.005","article-title":"Massage therapy research review","volume":"24","author":"Field","year":"2016","journal-title":"Complement. Ther. Clin. Pract."},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"78","DOI":"10.3390\/children6060078","article-title":"Pediatric massage therapy research: a narrative review","volume":"6","author":"Field","year":"2019","journal-title":"Children"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"970","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2019.00970","article-title":"Architecture of the cutaneous autonomic nervous system","volume":"10","author":"Glatte","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Neurol."},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"495","DOI":"10.1053\/siny.2002.0154","article-title":"Benefits of infant massage for mothers with postnatal depression","volume":"7","author":"Glover","year":"2002","journal-title":"Semin. Neonatol."},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102002","DOI":"10.1016\/j.infbeh.2024.102002","article-title":"Maternal affective touch and adaptive synchrony in mother-preterm infant interactions: implications for early bonding processes","volume":"77","author":"Grochowska","year":"2024","journal-title":"Infant Behav. Dev."},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"106104","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bbi.2025.106104","article-title":"Impaired social fear extinction in chronically stressed mice: impact on inflammatory brain markers and the contribution of oxytocin","volume":"130","author":"Gryksa","year":"2025","journal-title":"Brain Behav. Immun."},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"207","DOI":"10.1089\/bfm.2009.0001","article-title":"Effects of sucking and skin-to-skin contact on maternal ACTH and cortisol levels during the second day postpartum-influence of epidural analgesia and oxytocin in the perinatal period","volume":"4","author":"Handlin","year":"2009","journal-title":"Breastfeed Med."},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"673","DOI":"10.1037\/h0047884","article-title":"The nature of love","volume":"13","author":"Harlow","year":"1958","journal-title":"Am. Psychol."},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"R537","DOI":"10.1152\/ajpregu.00806.2000","article-title":"Baroreflex control of heart rate by oxytocin in the solitary-vagal complex","volume":"282","author":"Higa","year":"2002","journal-title":"Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol."},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"73","DOI":"10.1016\/j.autneu.2005.04.007","article-title":"Massage-like stroking influences plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones, including insulin, and increases weight gain in male rats","volume":"120","author":"Holst","year":"2005","journal-title":"Auton. Neurosci."},{"key":"B30","first-page":"1949","article-title":"Social connection as a public health issue: the evidence and a call for action","volume":"40","author":"Holt-Lunstad","year":"2021","journal-title":"Health Aff."},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2869","DOI":"10.1007\/978-981-99-7842-7_187","article-title":"\u201cSocial isolation in COVID-19: impact of loneliness and NCDs on mental and physical health of older adults,\u201d","volume-title":"Handbook of Aging, Health and Public Policy","author":"Jain","year":"2025"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"111S","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-445X.2000.tb00014.x","article-title":"Oxytocin, motherhood and bonding","volume":"85","author":"Kendrick","year":"2000","journal-title":"Exp. Physiol."},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"553","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuron.2011.11.030","article-title":"Evoked axonal oxytocin release in the central amygdala attenuates fear response","volume":"73","author":"Knobloch","year":"2012","journal-title":"Neuron"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.3389\/fnbeh.2014.00031","article-title":"Evolution of oxytocin pathways in the brain of vertebrates","volume":"8","author":"Knobloch","year":"2014","journal-title":"Front. Behav. Neurosci."},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.1016\/0165-1838(95)00056-7","article-title":"Massage-like stroking of the abdomen lowers blood pressure in anesthetized rats: influence of oxytocin","volume":"56","author":"Kurosawa","year":"1995","journal-title":"Auton. Nerv. Syst"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psyneuen.2018.11.016","article-title":"Foot massage evokes oxytocin release and activation of orbitofrontal cortex and superior temporal sulcus","volume":"101","author":"Li","year":"2019","journal-title":"Psychoneuroendocrinology"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"257","DOI":"10.1677\/joe.0.1270257","article-title":"Suckling-induced release of cholecystokinin into plasma in the lactating rat: effects of abdominal vagotomy and lesions of central pathways concerned with milk ejection","volume":"127","author":"Lind\u00e9n","year":"1990","journal-title":"J. Endocrinol."},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"547","DOI":"10.1038\/nn.2312","article-title":"Coding of pleasant touch by unmyelinated afferents in humans","volume":"12","author":"L\u00f6ken","year":"2009","journal-title":"Nat. Neurosci."},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"126","DOI":"10.1038\/nrn1845","article-title":"Dendritic peptide release and peptide-dependent behaviours","volume":"7","author":"Ludwig","year":"2006","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Neurosci."},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2151","DOI":"10.1038\/npp.2011.95","article-title":"The neuropeptide oxytocin facilitates pro-social behavior and prevents social avoidance in rats and mice","volume":"36","author":"Lukas","year":"2011","journal-title":"Neuropsychopharmacology"},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e70198","DOI":"10.1111\/acel.70198","article-title":"Oxytocin enhances demethylation through TET-enzyme expression in neurons of aged mice: Oxytocin as a potential antiaging peptide","volume":"24","author":"Maejima","year":"2025","journal-title":"Aging Cell"},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100703","DOI":"10.1016\/j.dcn.2019.100703","article-title":"Dynamic touch reduces physiological arousal in preterm infants: a role for c-tactile afferents?","volume":"39","author":"Manzotti","year":"2019","journal-title":"Dev. Cogn. Neurosci."},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"641","DOI":"10.1002\/j.1536-4801.1988.tb09610.x","article-title":"Plasma levels of somatostatin and gastrin in sick infants and small for gestational age infants","volume":"7","author":"Marchini","year":"1988","journal-title":"Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr."},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1523-536x.2001.00013.x","article-title":"Postpartum maternal oxytocin release by newborns: effects of infant hand massage and sucking","volume":"28","author":"Matthiesen","year":"2001","journal-title":"Birth"},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1225","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2013.04.018","article-title":"Problems with measuring peripheral oxytocin: can the data on oxytocin and human behavior be trusted?","volume":"38","author":"McCullough","year":"2013","journal-title":"Psychoneuroendocrinology"},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1390673","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2024.1390673","article-title":"Touch medicine: bridging the gap between recent insights from touch research and clinical medicine and its special significance for the treatment of affective disorders","volume":"15","author":"McGlone","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Psychiatry"},{"key":"B47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"737","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuron.2014.05.001","article-title":"Discriminative and affective touch: sensing and feeling","volume":"82","author":"McGlone","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neuron"},{"key":"B48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1701","DOI":"10.1007\/s10578-023-01521-0","article-title":"Adolescents' hormonal responses to social stress and associations with adolescent social anxiety and maternal comfort: a preliminary study","volume":"55","author":"Morgan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Child Psychiatry Hum. Dev."},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e12695","DOI":"10.1111\/jne.12695","article-title":"Tracking oxytocin functions in the rodent brain during the last 30 years: from push-pull perfusion to chemogenetic silencing","volume":"31","author":"Neumann","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Neuroendocrinol."},{"key":"B50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1179","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJM196711302772205","article-title":"Psychologic aspects of lactation","volume":"277","author":"Newton","year":"1967","journal-title":"N. Engl. J. Med."},{"key":"B51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"530","DOI":"10.3109\/00016349509024384","article-title":"Elevation of oxytocin levels early post partum in women","volume":"74","author":"Nissen","year":"1995","journal-title":"Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand."},{"key":"B52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"185","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2008.09.011","article-title":"The neurophysiology of unmyelinated tactile afferents","volume":"34","author":"Olausson","year":"2010","journal-title":"Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev."},{"key":"B53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1498006","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1498006","article-title":"The role of affective touch in mental illness: a systematic review of CT fiber dysregulation in psychological disorders and the therapeutic potential of CT fiber stimulation","volume":"16","author":"Papi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Psychiatry"},{"key":"B54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0173457","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0173457","article-title":"C-tactile afferent stimulating touch carries a positive affective value","volume":"12","author":"Pawling","year":"2017","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"key":"B55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1311","DOI":"10.1016\/S0031-9384(96)00261-2","article-title":"Oxytocin causes a long-term decrease of blood pressure in female and male rats","volume":"60","author":"Petersson","year":"1996","journal-title":"Physiol. Behav."},{"key":"B56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.1016\/S0304-3940(98)00729-0","article-title":"Oxytocin increases locus coeruleus alpha 2-adrenoreceptor responsiveness in rats","volume":"255","author":"Petersson","year":"1998","journal-title":"Neurosci. Lett."},{"key":"B57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2257","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-020-05891-y","article-title":"Perceived pleasantness of gentle touch in healthy individuals is related to salivary oxytocin response and EEG markers of arousal","volume":"238","author":"Portnova","year":"2020","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"B58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"944","DOI":"10.1038\/s41587-022-01561-2","article-title":"A genetically encoded sensor measures temporal oxyocin release from different neuronal compartments","volume":"41","author":"Qian","year":"2023","journal-title":"Nat. Biotechnol."},{"key":"B59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"45","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physbeh.2013.10.009","article-title":"Dogs' endocrine and behavioural responses at reunion are affected by how the human initiates contact","volume":"124","author":"Rehn","year":"2014","journal-title":"Physiol. Behav."},{"key":"B60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/BFb0046598","article-title":"The impact of somatosensory input on autonomic functions","volume":"130","author":"Sato","year":"1997","journal-title":"Rev. Physiol. Biochem. Pharmacol."},{"key":"B61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.1037\/xhp0001079","article-title":"Stroking trajectory shapes velocity effects on pleasantness and other touch percepts","volume":"49","author":"Schirmer","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Exp. Psychol. Hum. Percept. Perform."},{"key":"B62","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"118","DOI":"10.1001\/jamapsychiatry.2025.3705","article-title":"Intranasal oxytocin and physical intimacy for dermatological wound healing and neuroendocrine stress: a randomized clinical trial","volume":"83","author":"Schneider","year":"2025","journal-title":"JAMA Psychiatry"},{"key":"B63","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"283","DOI":"10.3109\/00016349109007873","article-title":"Oxytocin, somatostatin, insulin and gastrin concentrations vis-\u00e0-vis late pregnancy, breastfeeding and oral contraceptives","volume":"70","author":"Silber","year":"1991","journal-title":"Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand."},{"key":"B64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101","DOI":"10.1016\/S0079-6123(08)64378-2","article-title":"Morphology of vasopressin and oxytocin neurones and their central and vascular projections","volume":"60","author":"Sofroniew","year":"1983","journal-title":"Prog. Brain Res."},{"key":"B65","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-1716.1988.tb08294.x","article-title":"Increased plasma levels of oxytocin in response to afferent electrical stimulation of the sciatic and vagal nerves and in response to touch and pinch in anaesthetized rats","volume":"132","author":"Stock","year":"1988","journal-title":"Acta Physiol. Scand."},{"key":"B66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"369","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-neuro-071714-033904","article-title":"New opportunities in vasopressin and oxytocin research: a perspective from the amygdala","volume":"38","author":"Stoop","year":"2015","journal-title":"Annu. Rev. Neurosci."},{"key":"B67","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"588068","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2020.588068","article-title":"Sensory stimulation of oxytocin release is associated with stress management and maternal care","volume":"11","author":"Takahashi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"B68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1125","DOI":"10.1038\/s41593-020-0674-y","article-title":"Social touch promotes interfemale communication via activation of parvocellular oxytocin neurons","volume":"23","author":"Tang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nat. Neurosci."},{"key":"B69","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100268","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cpnec.2024.100268","article-title":"Oxytocin in growth, reproduction, restoration and health","volume":"20","author":"Uvn\u00e4s Moberg","year":"2024","journal-title":"Compr. Psychoneuroendocrinol."},{"key":"B70","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0235806","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0235806","article-title":"Maternal plasma levels of oxytocin during breastfeeding-a systematic review","volume":"15","author":"Uvn\u00e4s Moberg","year":"2020","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"key":"B71","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1272270","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2024.1272270","article-title":"The Yin and Yang of the oxytocin and stress systems: opposites, yet interdependent and intertwined determinants of lifelong health trajectories","volume":"15","author":"Uvn\u00e4s Moberg","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Endocrinol."},{"key":"B72","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101","DOI":"10.1016\/0091-3057(94)90462-6","article-title":"High doses of oxytocin cause sedation and low doses cause an anxiolytic-like effect in male rats","volume":"49","author":"Uvn\u00e4s-Moberg","year":"1994","journal-title":"Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav."},{"key":"B73","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"429","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-1716.1992.tb09385.x","article-title":"Oxytocin reduces exploratory motor behaviour and shifts the activity towards the centre of the arena in male rats","volume":"145","author":"Uvn\u00e4s-Moberg","year":"1992","journal-title":"Acta Physiol. Scand."},{"key":"B74","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"285","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-019-2365-9","article-title":"Maternal plasma levels of oxytocin during physiological childbirth - a systematic review with implications for uterine contractions and central actions of oxytocin","volume":"19","author":"Uvn\u00e4s-Moberg","year":"","journal-title":"BMC Pregnancy Childbirth"},{"key":"B75","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"109394","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mehy.2019.109394","article-title":"Oxytocin is a principal hormone that exerts part of its effects by active fragments","volume":"133","author":"Uvn\u00e4s-Moberg","year":"","journal-title":"Med. Hypotheses"},{"key":"B76","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1529","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2014.01529","article-title":"Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation","volume":"5","author":"Uvn\u00e4s-Moberg","year":"2015","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"B77","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"851","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1651-2227.1987.tb17254.x","volume":"76","author":"Uvn\u00e4s-Moberg","year":"1987","journal-title":"Acta Paediatr. Scand."},{"key":"B78","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.regpep.2009.04.003","article-title":"The role(s) of somatostatin, structurally related peptides and somatostatin receptors in the gastrointestinal tract: a review","volume":"156","author":"Van Op den Bosch","year":"2009","journal-title":"Regul. Pept."},{"key":"B79","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1265","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1651-2227.2008.00919.x","article-title":"Massage decreases aggression in preschool children: a long-term study","volume":"97","author":"Von Knorring","year":"2008","journal-title":"Acta Paediatr."},{"key":"B80","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"625","DOI":"10.1038\/s41575-018-0062-1","article-title":"The metabolic role of vagal afferent innervation","volume":"15","author":"Waise","year":"2018","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol."},{"key":"B81","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.1016\/j.npep.2017.01.001","article-title":"C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions?","volume":"64","author":"Walker","year":"2017","journal-title":"Neuropeptides"},{"key":"B82","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17590914221100706","DOI":"10.1177\/17590914221100706","article-title":"Neural functions of hypothalamic oxytocin and its regulation","volume":"14","author":"Wang","year":"2022","journal-title":"ASN Neuro"},{"key":"B83","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"282","DOI":"10.1089\/bfm.2020.0358","article-title":"Positive effects of Kangaroo mother care on long-term breastfeeding rates, growth, and neurodevelopment in preterm infants","volume":"16","author":"Wang","year":"2021","journal-title":"Breastfeed Med."},{"key":"B84","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1372274","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2024.1372274","article-title":"The gut microbiome and sociability","volume":"18","author":"Weber","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Neurosci."},{"key":"B85","first-page":"119","article-title":"Feeding readiness in preterm infants: effects of infant massage and kangaroo care","volume":"27","author":"White-Traut","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Perinat. Neonatal Nurs."},{"key":"B86","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"165","DOI":"10.1016\/0378-3782(89)90002-9","article-title":"Maternal somatostatin levels and their correlation with infant birth weight","volume":"20","author":"Widstr\u00f6m","year":"1989","journal-title":"Early Hum. Dev."},{"key":"B87","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"671702","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2022.671702","article-title":"Feeding and manual brushing influence the release of oxytocin, ACTH and cortisol differently during milking in dairy cows","volume":"16","author":"Wredle","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Neurosci."},{"key":"B88","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1051","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuron.2021.12.022","article-title":"Social touch-like tactile stimulation activates a tachykinin 1-oxytocin pathway to promote social interactions","volume":"110","author":"Yu","year":"","journal-title":"Neuron"},{"key":"B89","first-page":"857","article-title":"Pleasant touch increases social interactions via activation of parvocellular oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus","volume":"110","author":"Yu","year":"","journal-title":"Neuron."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1771799\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T05:47:53Z","timestamp":1782280073000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1771799\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]]},"references-count":89,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1771799"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1771799","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]]},"article-number":"1771799"}}