- Oxytocin, the "love hormone," benefits heart health by reducing stress and inflammation
- Loneliness increases cardiovascular risks, while connection acts as protective medicine
- Oxytocin activates the parasympathetic system, promoting heart healing and calmness
Heart health is usually discussed in numbers. Cholesterol levels, blood pressure readings, sugar control and step count – we track everything on apps and smartwatches. But there is one factor that does not show up in a blood test, and that is human connection.
Science has been quietly studying something interesting for years now. Emotions are not just feelings. They trigger real chemical changes in the body. Love, safety, and belonging are not just poetic words. They are biological signals.
Luke Coutinho, integrative lifestyle expert, has dropped a Valentine's Day special post on Instagram talking about what he calls a “powerful heart medicine” – oxytocin.
He says, “Love isn't just emotional, it's biological. It's medicine.” And according to him, science supports that.
What Is Oxytocin?
Oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter. It is released when we experience love, safety, touch, connection and belonging. When you hug someone, hold hands, or feel emotionally close, your body chemistry shifts.
Why It Matters For The Heart
Luke Coutinho explains that oxytocin has direct benefits for heart health. Research shows it can:
- Lower cortisol, the stress hormone
- Reduce blood pressure
- Improve heart rate variability (HRV)
- Calm the nervous system
- Decrease inflammation
In simple words, connected hearts function better.
Loneliness vs Connection
The lifestyle coach also highlights that loneliness is not just emotional. It is linked to higher inflammation, higher blood pressure and increased cardiovascular risk. On the other hand, connection acts like protective medicine.
The Nervous System Link
Oxytocin activates the parasympathetic system, also known as the “rest and repair” mode. This tells the heart, “You're safe. You can slow down. You can heal.” As Coutinho puts it, safety is the language your heart understands.
How To Boost Oxytocin Naturally
The good part? No supplements needed. The expert suggests simple actions:
- Hug for at least 20 seconds
- Hold hands
- Make meaningful eye contact
- Pet an animal
- Laugh together
Luke also speaks about intimacy and affection. Oxytocin rises when we feel seen and heard. And intimacy is not just romance. It is emotional regulation.
Acts of kindness matter too. Giving genuine appreciation releases oxytocin in both the giver and the receiver. Your heart benefits when you help others.
In his caption, Luke Coutinho shares that during consultations, patients who have love and connection in their lives often heal faster. “It's never medicine alone,” he writes. “We have an in-house pharmacy within us.”
His message was simple. You do not need a partner to feel connected. Friends, family, pets – a connection can be built in many ways.
This Valentine's Day or any day, heart health is not just about numbers. It is also about touch, trust, love, and being present.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
