Dose-response effects of exogenous oxytocin on social cognition: A systematic review.

Barton S, Pruin A, Schulze J, Kiebs M, Scheele D, Hurlemann R

Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews27 Aug 2025Cited by 5 (Europe PMC)

PMID40882784DOI10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106350PepBankPUB-40882784

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

Oxytocin, a neuropeptide known for its role in social bonding, has garnered considerable attention for its potential to enhance social cognition in humans. Intranasal administration of oxytocin is the standard method in exogenous oxytocin research. This systematic review critically examines the effects of exogenously administered oxytocin on three core components of social cognition: emotion recognition, empathy, and interpersonal trust. By comparing findings across studies using intranasal oxytocin doses ranging from 1 IU to 48 IU in healthy adult humans, we evaluate evidence for a potential dose-response relationship. The majority of studies administered a standard dose of 24 IU and generally reported significant improvements in emotion recognition, empathy, and trust. However, divergent findings at this dose have also been observed. Evidence for both lower and higher doses remains mixed. Much of the support for the Inverted-U Curve hypothesis - suggesting that oxytocin's effects follow a nonlinear trajectory with optimal outcomes at moderate doses - comes from studies lacking direct dose comparisons. Furthermore, the effects of oxytocin on social cognition appear to be strongly moderated by individual and contextual factors, raising questions about the generalizability of the Inverted-U model. Additional research is necessary to clarify the conditions under which dose-dependent effects occur.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study6

6 results from studies that gave the peptide. 6 results from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In healthy adults, most studies of intranasal oxytocin at 24 IU reported significant improvements in emotion recognition.
In plain wordsIn healthy adults, most studies of nasal oxytocin at the standard dose reported better emotion recognition.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseEmotion recognition after intranasal oxytocin
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The majority of studies administered a standard dose of 24 IU and generally reported significant improvements in emotion recognition, empathy, and trust.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This systematic review critically examines the effects of exogenously administered oxytocin on three core components of social cognition: emotion recognition, empathy, and interpersonal trust.
Summary · context
By comparing findings across studies using intranasal oxytocin doses ranging from 1 IU to 48 IU in healthy adult humans, we evaluate evidence for a potential dose-response relationship.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4088278401
02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In healthy adults, most studies of intranasal oxytocin at 24 IU reported significant improvements in empathy.
In plain wordsIn healthy adults, most studies of nasal oxytocin at the standard dose reported more empathy.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseEmpathy after intranasal oxytocin
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The majority of studies administered a standard dose of 24 IU and generally reported significant improvements in emotion recognition, empathy, and trust.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This systematic review critically examines the effects of exogenously administered oxytocin on three core components of social cognition: emotion recognition, empathy, and interpersonal trust.
Summary · context
By comparing findings across studies using intranasal oxytocin doses ranging from 1 IU to 48 IU in healthy adult humans, we evaluate evidence for a potential dose-response relationship.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4088278402
03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In healthy adults, most studies of intranasal oxytocin at 24 IU reported significant improvements in trust.
In plain wordsIn healthy adults, most studies of nasal oxytocin at the standard dose reported more trust.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseInterpersonal trust after intranasal oxytocin
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The majority of studies administered a standard dose of 24 IU and generally reported significant improvements in emotion recognition, empathy, and trust.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This systematic review critically examines the effects of exogenously administered oxytocin on three core components of social cognition: emotion recognition, empathy, and interpersonal trust.
Summary · context
By comparing findings across studies using intranasal oxytocin doses ranging from 1 IU to 48 IU in healthy adult humans, we evaluate evidence for a potential dose-response relationship.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4088278403
04HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
Studies of intranasal oxytocin at 24 IU also reported divergent findings on social cognition.
In plain wordsSome studies of nasal oxytocin at the standard dose found different results from the majority.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
MixedDivergent findings at 24 IU
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
However, divergent findings at this dose have also been observed.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This systematic review critically examines the effects of exogenously administered oxytocin on three core components of social cognition: emotion recognition, empathy, and interpersonal trust.
Summary · context
By comparing findings across studies using intranasal oxytocin doses ranging from 1 IU to 48 IU in healthy adult humans, we evaluate evidence for a potential dose-response relationship.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4088278404
05HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
Evidence for intranasal oxytocin doses lower and higher than 24 IU on social cognition remains mixed.
In plain wordsFor lower and higher nasal oxytocin doses than the standard dose, the results are mixed.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
MixedSocial cognition at doses other than 24 IU
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
1-48 IU, other than 24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Evidence for both lower and higher doses remains mixed.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This systematic review critically examines the effects of exogenously administered oxytocin on three core components of social cognition: emotion recognition, empathy, and interpersonal trust.
Summary · context
By comparing findings across studies using intranasal oxytocin doses ranging from 1 IU to 48 IU in healthy adult humans, we evaluate evidence for a potential dose-response relationship.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4088278405
06HumanSystematic reviewMechanism
The effects of intranasal oxytocin on social cognition appear to be strongly moderated by individual and contextual factors.
In plain wordsThe effects of nasal oxytocin on social thinking seem to depend strongly on the person and the setting.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Not applicableModeration of oxytocin effects by individual and contextual factors
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Furthermore, the effects of oxytocin on social cognition appear to be strongly moderated by individual and contextual factors, raising questions about the generalizability of the Inverted-U model.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This systematic review critically examines the effects of exogenously administered oxytocin on three core components of social cognition: emotion recognition, empathy, and interpersonal trust.
Summary · context
By comparing findings across studies using intranasal oxytocin doses ranging from 1 IU to 48 IU in healthy adult humans, we evaluate evidence for a potential dose-response relationship.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4088278406

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:47 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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