Oxytocin, aka the “hormone of love” or “cuddle chemical,” is a mammalian hormone that is released during labor and breastfeeding; in these contexts it induces uterine contractions and milk letdown. But it is perhaps better known for its alleged role in attachment bond formation.
The attachment bond between a mother and infant is essential to species survival; without it, a mother might not be disposed to care for her dependent newborn and said newborn would probably not live long enough to reproduce. The attachment bond can also color all future relationships the infant will go on to develop in life.
Despite its importance, very little is known about the biochemical underpinnings of attachment bond formation and maintenance in humans. Oxytocin is known to be involved in the process in animals, like mice and prairie voles, but its role in human bond formation had never been tested. So scientists just tested it, and found that oxytocin strengthened whatever feelings about their mothers adult males already had.
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