The DOI matches its Crossref record; 158 of the 159 references it cites were found in a registry or an index, and 1 are not checked yet.
Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation
Open accessAbstract
Oxytocin, a hypothalamic nonapeptide, is linked to increased levels of social interaction, well-being and anti-stress effects. The effects of oxytocin that is released by sensory stimulation during different kinds of interactive behaviors are often underestimated or even forgotten. In fact, many of the positive effects caused during interaction, such a wellbeing, stress reduction and even health promotion, are indeed linked to oxytocin released in response to activation of various types of sensory nerves. Oxytocin is released in response to activation of sensory nerves during labor, breastfeeding and sexual activity. In addition oxytocin is released in response to low intensity stimulation of the skin, e.g., in response to touch, stroking, warm temperature, etc. Consequently oxytocin is not only released during interaction between mothers and infants, but also during positive interaction between adults or between humans and animals. Finally oxytocin is also released in response to suckling and food intake. Oxytocin released in the brain in response to sensory stimulation as a consequence of these types of interactive behaviors, contributes to every day wellbeing and ability to handle stress. Food intake or sex may be used or even abused to achieve oxytocin-linked wellbeing and stress relief to compensate for lack of good relationships or when the levels of anxiety are high. The present review article will summarize the role played by oxytocin released by sensory (in particular somatosensory) stimulation, during various kinds of interactive behaviors. Also the fact that the anti-stress effects of oxytocin are particularly strong when oxytocin is released in response to "low intensity" stimulation of the skin will be highlighted.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Together with caregiver warmth and odor, positive touch induces the release of oxytocin (Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 1987), which is particularly evident in both members of the mother-infant dyad immediately after birth (Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2015; Moberg et al., 2020).”
From The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development (2023) · cites this paper as Uvnäs-Moberg et al. (2015)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“In contrast, oxytocin increases the activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, which, e.g., leads to increased heart rate variability (HRV) and stimulation of digestive, anabolic, and restorative functions (Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2015).”
From The Oxytocinergic System as a Mediator of Anti-stress and Instorative Effects Induced by Nature: The Calm and Connection Theory (2021) · cites this paper as Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2015
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“It stimulates social interaction, facilitates bonding between individuals, exerts powerful anti-stress effects, and also exerts restorative/healing functions, including stimulation of growth (Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2015).”
From The Oxytocinergic System as a Mediator of Anti-stress and Instorative Effects Induced by Nature: The Calm and Connection Theory (2021) · cites this paper as Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2015
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
2 retracted
Lund, I., Yu, L., Uvnas‐Moberg, K., Wang, J., Yu, C., Kurosawa, M., Agren, G., Rosén, A., Lekman, M., & Lundeberg, T. (2002) · European Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1046/j.1460-9568.2002.02087.x · Cited by 181
Self-citationRetractedCosta-Martins, J. M., Pereira, M., Martins, H., Moura‐Ramos, M., Coelho, R. C., & Tavares, J. (2014) · Journal of Pain · doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2013.12.004 · Cited by 15
RetractedOxytocin increases trust in humans
Kosfeld, M., Heinrichs, M., Zak, P. J., Fischbacher, U., & Fehr, E. (2005) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature03701 · Cited by 3,690
The Neuroendocrinology of Stress: A Never Ending Story
Lightman, S. L. (2008) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2826.2008.01711.x · Cited by 3,588
Ainsworth, M. S. (1989) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.44.4.709 · Cited by 3,231
Heinrichs, M., Baumgartner, T., Kirschbaum, C., & Ehlert, U. (2003) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(03)00465-7 · Cited by 2,091
Social effects of oxytocin in humans: context and person matter
Bartz, J. A., Zaki, J., Bolger, N., & Ochsner, K. N. (2011) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2011.05.002 · Cited by 1,581 · cited 2×
“As peripheral oxytocin levels and also the effects of oxytocin are influenced by many different factors, other relationships also exist (Bartz et al., 2011).”
BackgroundNeuroendocrine perspectives on social attachment and love
Sue Carter, C. (1998) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(98)00055-9 · Cited by 1,425
Social ties and health: The benefits of social integration
Seeman, T. E. (1996) · Annals of Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/s1047-2797(96)00095-6 · Cited by 1,137
Discriminative and affective touch: Sensing and feeling.
McGlone, F., Wessberg, J., & Olausson, H. (2014) · Neuron · doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2014.05.001 · Cited by 1,112
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 9
- Julius, 2013, Attachment to Pets—An Integrative View of Human-Animal Relationships with Implications for Therapeutic Practice
- Uvnäs-Moberg, 2004, “Massage, relaxation and well-being: a possible role for oxytocin as an integrative principle?,â€
- Uvnäs-Moberg, 2006, “The role of oxytocin in the development of attachment and maternal adaptations during the postpartum period,â€
- Uvnäs-Moberg, 2013, The Hormone of Closeness—The Role of Oxytocin in Relationships
- Uvnäs-Moberg, 2005, [Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing], Z. Psychosom. Med. Psychother., 51, 57
- Uvnäs-Moberg, 2010, “Role of oxytocin and oxytocin related effects in manual therapies,â€
- Uvnäs-Moberg, 2013, Oxytocin effects in mothers and infants during breastfeeding, Infant, 9, 201
- Van Bockstaele, 1996, Corticotropin-releasing factor-containing axon terminals synapse onto catecholamine dendrites and may presynaptically modulate other afferents in the rostral pole of the nucleus locus coeruleus in the rat brain, J. Comp. Neurol., 364, 523, 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9861(19960115)364:3523::AID-CNE103.0.CO;2-Q · DOI
- Velandia, 2012, Parent-Infant Interaction and Oxytocin Levels During Skin-to-Skin Contact after Cesarean Section and Mother–Infant Skin-to-Skin Contact as Treatment for Breastfeeding Problems
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 301–351 of 351
Comment, au fil du temps, l’ocytocine est devenue l’hormone de l’attachement
Freund‐Mercier, M. J. (2022) · Biologie Aujourd hui · doi:10.1051/jbio/2022014
РОЛЬ ТЕМПЕРАТУРНОГО ГОМЕОСТАЗА В СТАНОВЛЕНИИ НЕРВНО-ПСИХИЧЕСКОГО РАЗВИТИЯ ДЕТЕЙ РАННЕГО ВОЗРАСТА
", Ф. В., Деева, В. А., академия", Ч. Г. М., Олзобоева, С. Б., & академия", Ф. В. ". Г. М. (2023) · ICSP «NEW SCIENCE» eBooks · doi:10.46916/20042023-3-978-5-00174-951-6
Anatomical and Physiological Basics
Mueller, S. M., & Grunwald, M. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-67860-2_2
Compassion: From Neuroscience to New Horizons and Innovative, Inclusive Research Agendas
Waddington, K., Manley, J. Y., Edginton, T., & Kanov, J. (2024) · Frontiers research topics · doi:10.3389/978-2-8325-4230-9
Reciprocal interactions between the oxytocin and somatosensory systems
Küppers, S., Lefèvre, A., & Grinevich, V. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-820480-1.00085-1
Quing, K. A. C., Baudin, J. S. P., & Maaliw, R. R., III (2024) · COVID · doi:10.3390/covid4040036
Nogueira-Vale, E. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-59038-2_4
Silkis, I. G. (2024) · Успехи физиологических наук · doi:10.31857/s0301179824010074
Investigating the Physical Activity Habits and Apparel Choices of Perinatal Women
Vatter, R. F., Segura-Velandia, D., Moore, I. S., & Mears, A. C. (2024) · Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal · doi:10.1123/wspaj.2024-0005
Women in Mass Media in Under the Silver Lake (2018): A Saussure’s Semiotics Study
Amanda, N. F., Agustina, M. F., & Trisnawati, R. K. (2024) · MOZAIK HUMANIORA · doi:10.20473/mozaik.v24i1.50339
A theoretical approach to endorphin-stimulating architecture
Satwiko, P., Wimbarti, S., Michelle, B., & Cininta, M. (2024) · Journal of Architecture and Urbanism · doi:10.3846/jau.2024.18808 · Cited by 1
Hanscom, D. A., Halaris, A. E., & Erb, M. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-816996-4.00009-5
The Nonverbal Language of Hands
White, J., & Givens, D. B. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-70064-4_2
(2025) · American Academy of PediatricsItasca, IL eBooks · doi:10.1542/9781610027892-ch4
Social Touch as an Allostatic Tool in Cooperative Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning
Ozdemir, Y. I., & Gatti, E. (2025) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/3706599.3720216
“Warm Fuzzies” in Healing: The Tradition of Embodied Body Touching in Folk Medical Encounters
Deogharia, S., & Sengupta, J. (2025) · The Oriental Anthropologist A Bi-annual International Journal of the Science of Man · doi:10.1177/0972558x251332190
Vasovagal syncope as social signal: an evolutionary perspective
Turk, D. (2025) · Medical Hypotheses · doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2025.111751
Addressing the Person Who Needs Surgical Management
Araújo, J. P. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-95-0665-1_20
Aguid, R. D. (2025) · Journal of exceptional multidisciplinary research. · doi:10.69739/jemr.v2i2.1067
Nipple stimulation for labour augmentation: evidence from randomised and quasi-experimental studies
Videgård, M., Anderberg, L., & Wells, M. B. (2025) · BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · doi:10.1186/s12884-025-08393-3
Oxytocin: The Protective Factor Against High Levels of Maternal Stress and Its Adverse Consequences
Moberg, K. U., Bolling, M., & Petersson, M. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-09245-8_11
Self-citationAgyei, D.-G. N., Amponsah, B., & Tutu, A. O. (2026) · PLOS mental health. · doi:10.1371/journal.pmen.0000556
Implementasi Islamic Butterfly Hug untuk Regulasi Emosi Guru dan Orang Tua PAUD
Islahiah, I. M., & Kamaludin, F. S. (2026) · Jurnal Obsesi Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini · doi:10.31004/obsesi.v10i2.8214
Neurophysiological mechanisms of embodied empathy in martial arts
Shpak, G. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1782703
The role of oxytocin in music interventions: A systematic review
Busse, P., Anheyer, D., Stronski, J., & Ostermann, T. (2026) · Musicae Scientiae · doi:10.1177/10298649261419786 · Cited by 1
Sona, D., Habsy, B. A., Purwoko, B., Pratiwi, T. I., Nursalim, M., & Irawan, A. W. (2026) · EXPLORE · doi:10.1016/j.explore.2026.103397
Boedt, T., der Gucht, K. V., de Waal, N., Vanhove, A.-C., & Boekhorst, M. G. B. M. (2026) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd016340
In vivo analysis of the antihyperalgesic activity of innovative compounds
Hilfiger, L. (2022) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/75d118c6zbe5ez4d20z9c25zd658f8cf399a
Silva, K. O. A. E., & Spini, V. B. M. G. (2026) · Research Society and Development · doi:10.33448/rsd-v15i4.50924
Yalçıntepe, A., & Oran, N. T. (2026) · Artuklu Health · doi:10.58252/artukluhealth.1834593
Ren, S., Wei, J., Zhao, S., Li, L., Zhang, J., Yan, C., & Wang, J. (2026) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2026.1807587
Nitulescu, E. D., & Dima, V. (2026) · Romanian Journal of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy · doi:10.37897/rjpp.2026.1.1
Güler, F., Bozkurt, E., & Duran, H. (2026) · Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi · doi:10.46237/amusbfd.1887331
Oxytocin release patterns and effects, with a focus on touch, social interaction, and closeness
Uvnäs‐Moberg, K., & Petersson, M. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1771799
Self-citationOn Superpowers, Oxytocin, and Sciences—Reflections on a Challenging Field
Ostermann, T., & Busse, P. K. (2026) · Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.1177/27683605261464822
Iwai, A., Matsumaru, N., Ohshima, M., Yasui, I., Yoshida, A., Ohno, A., Kuroda, H., Tanaka, K., Kobayashi, K., Tachibana, T., et al. (2026) · JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting · doi:10.2196/93897
Ruchkin, V. V., & Koposov, R. A. (2026) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2026.1888366
Warden, A. H., Gridneva, Z., McEachran, J. L., Abelha, S. G., Perrella, S. L., & Geddes, D. T. (2026) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare14152251
Gorle, J., Schepman, A., Rodway, P., West, W., & Reeves, A. (2026) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.70191
Xia, L., Tan, L., Zheng, S., Han, Y., Xiao, L., Wu, J., & He, L. (2026) · medRxiv · doi:10.64898/2026.08.04.26359662
Güneş, B., Doğan, F., Güzelçiçek, A., Bozkaya, A., & Yalçın, S. S. (2026) · Frontiers in Pediatrics · doi:10.3389/fped.2026.1863943
The CLEAR model: a structured communication protocol for breast radiologists
Abbattista, T., & Hasan, A. (2026) · Frontiers in Health Services · doi:10.3389/frhs.2026.1890985
Kato, I., Haku, A., Konishi, Y., Koyano, K., Kondo, S., Nishida, T., Miake, J., & Kusaka, T. (2026) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2026.108031
The Social Buffering Hypothesis as an Adaptive Mechanism to Regulate Stress in Artificial Agents
Aloe, L., Anzalone, S. M., Zibetti, E., & Cañamero, L. D. (2026) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-39953-3_18
Metadata
- Authors
- Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Handlin, L., & Petersson, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Skövde (SE)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Venue
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2015-01-12
- Volume
- 5
- Pages
- 1529-1529
- ISSN
- 1664-1078 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4290532
- OpenAlex
- W1970572311
- Cited by
- 351
- References
- 158
- Citations by year
- 2026: 35 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 44 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 9
- FWCI
- 35.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Frontiers in Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University Library of Skövde (University of Skövde) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Keywords
- oxytocin, somatosensory stimulation, cutaneous stimulation, stress reduction, well-being, social interaction, touch, warm temperature, dietary intake, sexual activity, mother-infant interaction, anti-stress effects
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
