"Oxytocin" is a nonapeptide hormone in mammals.  It is also available as a medication.

Oxytocin
is normally produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary gland. It plays a
role in intimacy, sexual reproduction of both sexes, and during and after childbirth as well as
social bonding. It is released in large amounts after distension of the cervix and uterus during
labor and with stimulation of the nipples following childbirth. This helps with birth, maternal
bonding, and lactation. Studies have looked at oxytocin's role in various behaviors, including
orgasm, social recognition, pair bonding, anxiety, and maternal behaviors. As a medication, it is
used to cause contraction of the uterus, which is used to start labor, increase the speed of labor,
and to stop bleeding following delivery. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential
Medicines, a list of the most important medications needed in a basic health system. Oxytocin
has peripheral actions, and also has actions in the brain. Its actions are mediated by specific,
oxytocin receptors. The oxytocin receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor that requires
magnesium and cholesterol. It belongs to the rhodopsin-type group of G-protein-coupled
receptors. The peripheral actions of oxytocin mainly reflect secretion from the pituitary gland.
Oxytocin secreted from the pituitary gland cannot re-enter the brain because of the blood–brain
barrier. Instead, the behavioral effects of oxytocin are thought to reflect release from centrally
projecting oxytocin neurons, different from those that project to the pituitary gland, or that are
collaterals from them. Oxytocin receptors are expressed by neurons in many parts of the brain
and spinal cord, including the amygdala, ventromedial hypothalamus, septum, nucleus
accumbens, and brainstem.