Effects of intranasal oxytocin on fear, pain and aversive memory.

Silva JU, Brito I

Neuropeptides24 Apr 2026

PMID42066687DOI10.1016/j.npep.2026.102618PepBankPUB-42066687

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

Oxytocin plays an important and well-known role in promoting social interaction in maternal, sexual and interpersonal behaviors. In addition, it has been increasingly linked to the modulation of pain, fear and cognitive processes such as attention and memory, which seems to be supported by the presence of oxytocin receptors in various brain areas. With this in mind, this study aims to investigate the effects of inhaled oxytocin on fear, pain perception and aversive memory in humans, as well as the relationship between them. The study involved 65 healthy female volunteers who were randomly assigned to receive either intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) or a placebo. The participants were divided into two experimental designs, A and B, with within-subject comparisons conducted. Its effects on pain were investigated by means of the Cold Pressor Test, keeping records of pain threshold and tolerance, as well as of its intensity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and its classification using the McGill Pain Questionnaire. The effects on fear were investigated using the Trauma Film Paradigm, with the intensity of fear measured by means of the VAS, as well as aversion, attention and immersion in the film. A questionnaire was deployed to assess aversive declarative memory at different intervals. Intrusive aversive memories were analyzed by means of quantitative and qualitative records taken over 7 days. Our results showed that oxytocin increased dislike of pain when the painful stimulus occurred in an aversive context, which may have contributed to a negative mood state. In addition, oxytocin attenuated intrusive memories in such a way as to reduce their frequency and the suffering they caused. Altogether, the results suggest that intranasal oxytocin can modulate the subjective perception of pain, fear and aversive memory in humans, depending on the context in which the stimuli occur and their biopsychosocial relevance.

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

Results from this study3

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy women, intranasal oxytocin increased dislike of pain when the painful stimulus occurred in an aversive context.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, oxytocin made a painful stimulus feel more disliked when it came in an aversive setting.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseDislike of pain in an aversive context
Study
n = 65
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Pain · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Our results showed that oxytocin increased dislike of pain when the painful stimulus occurred in an aversive context, which may have contributed to a negative mood state.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The study involved 65 healthy female volunteers who were randomly assigned to receive either intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) or a placebo.
Summary · context
The participants were divided into two experimental designs, A and B, with within-subject comparisons conducted.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4206668701
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy women, intranasal oxytocin reduced the frequency of intrusive aversive memories.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, oxytocin led to fewer unwanted memories of an upsetting film.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseFrequency of intrusive aversive memories
Study
n = 65
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, oxytocin attenuated intrusive memories in such a way as to reduce their frequency and the suffering they caused.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The study involved 65 healthy female volunteers who were randomly assigned to receive either intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) or a placebo.
Summary · context
The participants were divided into two experimental designs, A and B, with within-subject comparisons conducted.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4206668702
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy women, intranasal oxytocin reduced the suffering caused by intrusive aversive memories.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, oxytocin reduced the distress caused by unwanted memories of an upsetting film.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseSuffering caused by intrusive aversive memories
Study
n = 65
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, oxytocin attenuated intrusive memories in such a way as to reduce their frequency and the suffering they caused.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The study involved 65 healthy female volunteers who were randomly assigned to receive either intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) or a placebo.
Summary · context
The participants were divided into two experimental designs, A and B, with within-subject comparisons conducted.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4206668703

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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