What is the 'love hormone' and how can it be used to treat anorexia?

Scientists suggest that love hormone, which is released during childbirth and sex, can be used to treat anorexia nervosa.

17:18 13 March 2014

Anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that affects one in every 150 females in the United Kingdom, can be treated using ‘the love hormone’, as suggested by UK and Korean Scientists. This hormone, oxytocin, is released during childbirth and sex.

The study conducted by the researchers found that patients were less likely to fixate on food and body after a dose of oxytocin. The hormone, which is also released during breastfeeding and bonding, has already been suggested as treatment for a range of psychiatric disorders. There are reports supporting the claim that it helps lower social anxiety in people with autism. However, Beat, the eating disorder charity, said that the finding was a long way from becoming a useable treatment.

Eating disorder expert Prof Janet Treasure, from King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, said: "This is early stage research with a small number of participants, but it's hugely exciting to see the potential this treatment could have.

"We need much larger trials, on more diverse populations, before we can start to make a difference to how patients are treated."
Prof Youl-Ri Kim, from Inje University in Seoul, South Korea, added: "Our research shows that oxytocin reduces patients' unconscious tendencies to focus on food, body shape, and negative emotions such as disgust.

"There is currently a lack of effective pharmacological treatments for anorexia.

"Our research adds important evidence to the increasing literature on oxytocin treatments for mental illnesses, and hints at the advent of a novel, ground-breaking treatment option for patients with anorexia.”